British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation after serving for two years, bringing an end to a turbulent period for his government and setting the stage for a leadership race within the Labour Party.
Keir Starmer made the announcement on Monday, June 22, 2026, confirming that he will step down both as prime minister and Labour leader.
He, however, said he would remain in office until a successor is chosen to ensure a smooth transition of power, following months of growing pressure from within his party.
Labour’s poor performance in the local elections held in May, along with increasing criticism from party lawmakers over his leadership and policies, intensified calls for him to leave office.
The resignation marks a dramatic turn for Starmer, who only two years ago led Labour to a landslide victory in the 2024 general election, securing one of the party’s biggest parliamentary majorities in recent history.
Speaking outside 10 Downing Street shortly after 9:30 a.m. in London, Starmer said every choice he made while in office was driven by his desire to put the country first.
The UK prime minister also paid tribute to his wife, Victoria, whom he described as his greatest source of strength throughout his time in politics.
“I want to thank my fantastic wife, Vic. She has been my rock,” he said.
Starmer added that he now hopes to spend more time with his family, saying he wants to be “the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and joy”
Meanwhile, veteran Labour politician Andy Burnham is preparing to return to the House of Commons after winning a crucial by-election, a victory that has strengthened expectations that he will seek the party leadership.
Labour rules require its leader to be a sitting member of parliament, and Burnham’s return to Westminster has cleared the way for a possible challenge.
Britain is now on course to have its seventh prime minister in just ten years, an unusually high turnover in modern British politics.
Keir Starmer, 63, had previously insisted he would resist any effort to remove him.
However, Burnham’s convincing victory in last week’s by-election in the northwest constituency of Makerfield appears to have changed the political landscape and influenced Starmer’s decision.
Even US President Donald Trump weighed in on the situation before the announcement, predicting on Sunday through his Truth Social account that Starmer would soon leave office.
Trump, whose relationship with Starmer reportedly deteriorated following disagreements over the Iran conflict, criticised the British leader’s handling of immigration and energy policies before adding, “I wish him well.”
Burnham, who has served as Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017, has openly signalled his intention to run for the Labour leadership. During his victory speech, he warned that the party had a “final chance to change” its direction.
Opinion polls have shown Starmer struggling with voters in recent months. Reports said he spent the weekend at Chequers, the prime minister’s country residence, discussing his future with close allies and family members.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle told Sky News that Starmer was taking time to reflect on the political challenges and opportunities facing him.
Before the resignation was announced, reports suggested Starmer and his inner circle had already begun preparing his departure speech, with some expecting him to remain in office until after the summer before handing over to a new leader at Labour’s conference in late September.
According to reports, senior ministers, including Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, had urged him to step aside, while more than 100 Labour MPs were said to have backed calls for his resignation.
Starmer became prime minister in July 2024 and had faced repeated political difficulties during his time in office, including policy reversals, controversies, and cabinet resignations.
Earlier this year, he also came under heavy criticism over his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to Washington, a move that sparked backlash and added to the pressure on his leadership.
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