U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday, bringing an end to a turbulent tenure marked by record-low approval ratings and internal party strife.
Starmer, who led the Labour Party to a landslide victory in July 2024, submitted his resignation to King Charles III on Monday morning after mounting scandals and the sweeping victory of former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham in a by-election to return to Parliament as the new MP of Makerfield. Burnham is highly tipped to succeed Starmer as Prime Minister following a wave of internal support, and could take over as early as September.
A stoic Starmer addressed the nation at 10 Downing Street, beginning his speech by recounting the high points during his two years in office. “Look at what we’ve achieved in just two years: an economy that is stronger, growing faster than our peers, wages rising fast with inflation every single month since we came to power. Investments secured, infrastructure being built. An end to austerity, with the fastest fall in NHS waiting lists for 17 years. The biggest improvements in rights for workers and renters in a generation. The biggest uplift in defense spending since the Cold War. Small boat crossings falling, asylum hotels closing, protecting young people from social media, and half a million children being lifted out of property because of the choices that I made.”
However, he acknowledged that “the question being asked now is not who was best placed to change the Labour Party, to take us into power and to begin the vital work of improving lives for millions of people.”
“The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election,” Starmer continued. “I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace. 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. I have spoken to his Majesty the King this morning to inform him of my decision.”
Starmer said that nominations for a new Prime Minister will open on July 9 and close by the summer recess to ensure there is a new leader before Parliament returns in September. He will remain in the post until the contest is complete.
“I will do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power,” Starmer said. “I will also give my successor my full and unequivocal support, knowing that they will inherit a Britain that is far stronger and fairer than the one I inherited two years ago.”
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Burnham later confirmed that he plans to make a play for Labour leader and Prime Minister, writing on social media: “Keir has given huge service to our country and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication during such a challenging period. His decision marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way. I will put myself forward as part of this process. The country expects stability, seriousness and a continued focus on the issues that matter most and that is what it will get. As we move forward, our priority must be to work together to get the country back to where we all want it to be.”
Former health secretary Wes Streeting also announced that he will back Burnham for Prime Minister, taking himself out of the race.
The resignation caps a difficult period for Starmer’s government, which has been rocked by a succession of scandals almost since taking office in July 2024. Though his resignation was triggered by Burnham’s wave of popularity internally and over 50% victory in the by-election, pressure had been mounting for months.
One of the biggest controversies stemmed from his appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the U.S. Starmer is accused of pushing through the appointment despite Mandelson failing mandatory security vetting and then lying to Parliament about it. Mandelson, who is being investigated by police over his links to Jeffrey Epstein, was dismissed and subsequently resigned from the House of Lords after revelations about his ties to the convicted sex offender.
Starmer’s administration was also rocked by the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner in September 2025 over a tax scandal, followed by a major cabinet reshuffle.
Starmer, 62, a former human rights lawyer and director of public prosecutions, became Labour leader in 2020 following the party’s defeat under Jeremy Corbyn. His July 2024 electoral victory ended 14 years of Conservative rule.
This marks the sixth U.K. Prime Minister resignation in 10 years, following Rishi Sunak, Liz Truss, Boris Johnson, Theresa May and David Cameron.
From Variety US