UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Steps Down with Dignity, Announces Shock Resignation with 'Good Grace'
LONDON -- Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation as leader of the Labour Party and prime minister on Monday, paving the way for the UK's seventh prime minister in a decade.
Starmer, who informed King Charles of his decision, will remain in office until a successor is chosen. He stated that his party had questioned whether he was best placed to lead them into the next general election, and he accepted their verdict.
The prime minister has asked party leaders to open nominations for a successor on July 9, with a new prime minister expected to be in place by September. Starmer's resignation follows months of turmoil, including criticism from within his own party and a poor performance in local elections.
The Labour Party lost over 1,000 seats on local councils in May, leading many to call for Starmer's resignation. Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, has emerged as a potential successor, having won a special election to become a member of parliament.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Starmer, saying his leadership had strengthened European and Ukrainian security. Starmer's resignation marks the end of his leadership, which began with a landslide election victory in 2024.
Starmer, who informed King Charles of his decision, will remain in office until a successor is chosen. He stated that his party had questioned whether he was best placed to lead them into the next general election, and he accepted their verdict.
The prime minister has asked party leaders to open nominations for a successor on July 9, with a new prime minister expected to be in place by September. Starmer's resignation follows months of turmoil, including criticism from within his own party and a poor performance in local elections.
The Labour Party lost over 1,000 seats on local councils in May, leading many to call for Starmer's resignation. Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, has emerged as a potential successor, having won a special election to become a member of parliament.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Starmer, saying his leadership had strengthened European and Ukrainian security. Starmer's resignation marks the end of his leadership, which began with a landslide election victory in 2024.
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