Keir Starmer Announces Resignation as Prime Minister and Labour Leader

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as both Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party, bringing an end to a turbulent period in British politics less than two years after Labour's landslide General Election victory.

Starmer made the announcement on Monday 22 June 2026 during an emotional address, confirming he would step aside after losing the confidence of significant sections of his party and facing growing pressure following a series of political setbacks.

He said he believed stepping down was in the best interests of both the Labour Party and the country.

The resignation follows weeks of speculation surrounding Starmer's future after disappointing election results, internal party divisions and mounting concerns among Labour MPs over the government's direction.

Although he has announced his intention to resign, Starmer is expected to remain in Downing Street in a caretaker capacity while Labour begins the process of selecting a new leader. The party has indicated that a successor will be chosen before Parliament returns from its summer recess.

Starmer became Labour leader in 2020 and led the party to a decisive General Election victory in 2024, ending more than a decade of Conservative government. His departure means the United Kingdom is set to appoint its seventh Prime Minister in the decade since the Brexit referendum.

Attention is now turning to who will replace him, with Andy Burnham, who recently became an MP after winning the bi-election at Makerfield widely viewed as the frontrunner to succeed Starmer as Labour leader and, ultimately, Prime Minister.

Further details regarding the Labour leadership process are expected to be announced in the coming days.