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Tearful Sir Keir Starmer resigns as Prime Minister

The PM has announced he will step down, following a speech outside 10 Downing Street

Sir Keir Starmer will be leaving 10 Downing Street, after the Prime Minister announced his plans to leave the top job.

He broke the news in a speech in Westminster this morning, following several days of intense speculation.

The King spoke to Sir Keir Starmer by phone earlier this morning while at his Gloucestershire residence Highgrove, Buckingham Palace said.

Announcing his resignation, Sir Keir Starmer said: "The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election. 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."

Sir Keir Starmer has asked Labour's governing body to set out a timetable to replace him, beginning on July 9, and ending by the summer recess to "ensure a new leader is in place before Parliament returns in September".

Sir Keir became Prime Minister in July 2024 after leading Labour to a landslide general election victory, ending 14 years of Conservative government.

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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer making his speech in Downing Street, London(Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

The former Director of Public Prosecutions entered Downing Street with a large parliamentary majority and a promise to deliver economic stability, rebuild public services and restore trust in politics.

However, his premiership has come under increasing pressure in recent months amid falling poll ratings, internal party unrest and a series of political setbacks.

Labour suffered disappointing results in local elections and by-elections, while a growing number of MPs publicly questioned whether Starmer remained the right person to lead the party into the next general election.

One of the most damaging episodes for his government was the fallout from the appointment of former Labour grandee Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States.

The controversy triggered the resignations of several senior aides and prompted calls from some Labour figures, including Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, for Starmer to step aside.

More recently, tensions within the government deepened over defence spending, culminating in the resignation of senior ministers who accused the Prime Minister of failing to provide adequate funding for the armed forces.

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(Image: Getty Images)

The dispute fueled further speculation about his leadership and highlighted divisions within Labour's parliamentary ranks.

Pressure intensified following the recent Makerfield by-election, won by Andy Burnham, who returned to Westminster and quickly emerged as the focal point for MPs seeking a change of leadership.

Reports suggest dozens of Labour MPs have backed Burnham as a potential successor, with some estimates putting support for him well into three figures.

Over the weekend, multiple reports indicated Starmer had been holding discussions with cabinet ministers, donors and trade union leaders about his future.

Now, Labour are facing a leadership contest or an agreed succession process to determine Britain's next prime minister. Burnham is considered the frontrunner, although figures including Wes Streeting and Yvette Cooper have also been mentioned as potential contenders.

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