British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has officially announced his resignation from office.
Starmer announced his resignation on Monday, 22nd June, less than two years after he assumed office.
“Every decision I have taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party,” Starmer said in an emotional speech outside 10 Downing Street.
Starmer said the process of picking a new Labour Party leader would be launched in July, and he would remain as prime minister until his successor is chosen, to be in place in September.
Starmer, who has grown unpopular with voters according to polling, reportedly spent the weekend with his family at Chequers, the countryside retreat for prime ministers, holding talks with allies before announcing his decision on Monday.
The political pressure on Starmer heightened amid mounting pressure within the Labour Party following the commanding electoral victory of Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, in Makerfield.
Although Starmer has earlier publicly insisted that he intends to remain in office and “fight” any leadership challenge, Labour insiders claimed his position weakened after Burnham secured 55 per cent of the vote in Makerfield.
Some Labour MPs believe Burnham’s victory shows he is better positioned to confront Reform UK and its leader, Nigel Farage, ahead of the next general election.
Starmer, who took office in July 2024, has been clinging to power for months after a tenure littered with missteps, policy U-turns, scandals, and ministerial resignations.
