‘Heard my party’s answer’: Keir Starmer quits as UK PM

London/IBNS: Keir Starmer announced on Monday that he will step down as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, bringing an abrupt end to his tenure amid mounting unrest within the Labour Party.

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, Starmer said he had informed King Charles III of his decision earlier in the day and would remain in office until Labour elects a new leader.

His resignation follows weeks of speculation over his future as political setbacks, falling public support and internal party divisions intensified pressure on his leadership.

‘Heard my party’s answer’

In his resignation speech, Starmer said the central question facing Labour was whether he remained the right person to lead the party into the next general election.

“I have heard the answer of my party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace,” he said.

“Every decision I have taken has been about putting the country I love first. I will resign as leader of the Labour Party.”

His departure comes slightly more than two years after he guided Labour to a landslide victory in the 2024 general election, ending 14 years of Conservative rule and becoming Britain’s 58th prime minister.

Leadership contest to begin in July

Starmer confirmed that he had spoken with the King on Monday morning and requested that Labour’s National Executive Committee begin the process of selecting a new party leader.

Under the timetable announced by the party, nominations for the leadership contest will open on July 9.

The process is expected to conclude before Parliament rises for its summer recess, allowing a new Labour leader to be in place before MPs return in September.

Until then, Starmer said he would continue serving as prime minister.

Outgoing PM defends his record

During his address, Starmer reflected on his period as Labour leader and defended his achievements in rebuilding the party.

He said he inherited a Labour Party that was “politically, financially and morally bankrupt” and recalled repeated claims that the party had no future.

“But we proved those people wrong,” he said.

Starmer argued that his leadership transformed Labour by “ripping out the poison of anti-Semitism” and by “restoring trust on the economy, defence and national security”.

He also described Labour’s return to power as one of the defining achievements of his political career.

“Walking up Downing Street two years ago was the proudest moment of my life,” he said.

“I came into politics for the chance to change the lives of millions of people for the better.”

Pressure mounted after political setbacks

The resignation follows growing dissatisfaction within Labour after a series of political challenges and declining public support.

Speculation over Starmer’s future intensified after the recent parliamentary victory of Andy Burnham, who has emerged as a prominent figure within the party and is widely viewed as a leading contender to succeed him.

His resignation makes him the latest British prime minister to leave office before completing a full parliamentary term, extending a period of political volatility that has resulted in several leadership changes in Westminster over the past decade.

Emotional farewell outside Downing Street

In the closing moments of his speech, Starmer became emotional as he spoke about spending more time with his family after leaving what he called the “biggest job in the country”.

“Being the best husband I can, to my fantastic wife Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad,” he said.

“And being the best dad that I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and joy.”

After concluding his remarks, Starmer embraced his wife, Victoria Starmer, before returning inside 10 Downing Street to applause from supporters and staff gathered outside.

Starmer’s rise to power

Keir Starmer became Prime Minister in July 2024 after Labour secured a decisive general election victory that brought an end to 14 years of Conservative government.

The 61-year-old Labour leader entered office promising change and a renewed focus on delivering results.

In his first speech as prime minister, he praised his predecessor, Rishi Sunak, acknowledging the commitment and service Sunak had shown during his time in office.