Keir Starmer announced his resignation as the United Kingdom’s prime minister on Monday, saying he accepted the view within the Labour Party that both the party and the country needed new leadership ahead of the next general election, expected in 2029.
Starmer said the central question facing Labour was whether he remained the right person to lead the party into the next parliamentary election. He told reporters that he accepted his colleagues’ judgment and would step aside, having already informed King Charles III of his decision before making the announcement outside 10 Downing Street.
The outgoing prime minister asked Labour’s governing bodies to begin the transition process and open nominations for the party leadership from 9 July. If the succession proceeds as planned, the United Kingdom could have a new prime minister before Parliament returns from its summer recess in September, although a full leadership contest may be required if multiple candidates qualify.
Starmer described taking office after Labour’s landslide victory in the July 2024 general election as the proudest moment of his life. However, he acknowledged that support for his leadership had eroded following sustained pressure from Labour MPs and members of his own cabinet.
‘Starmer’s popularity declined rapidly amid public dissatisfaction over the economy, healthcare, immigration and a series of political controversies’
Calls for Starmer to resign intensified after Andy Burnham won a parliamentary by-election last week, clearing the way for him to formally pursue the Labour leadership. Burnham is widely regarded as the frontrunner to succeed Starmer.
Although Labour secured a commanding election victory in 2024, Starmer’s popularity declined rapidly amid public dissatisfaction over the economy, healthcare, immigration and a series of political controversies. His leadership also came under increasing strain after poor local election results and falling opinion poll ratings, with Labour trailing Reform UK in several recent surveys.
Starmer will remain in office until Labour selects a successor and the transition of power is completed.
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