Keir Starmer announces resignation as British prime minister

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday after fewer than two years in office. He said the decisions he made were „about putting the country I love first” and announced he would step down as leader of the Labour Party.

Emotional speech outside 10 Downing Street

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, Starmer became emotional and choked up as he addressed the nation.

“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,”

He said he would remain prime minister until a successor is chosen and pledged to “do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power.”

Leadership contest and timetable

Starmer said the process to choose a new leader for the Labour Party would be launched in July. He said his successor would be in place before parliament returns from the summer recess in September.

Andy Burnham and the path to the leadership

The article reports that Starmer’s main rival, Andy Burnham, was due to be sworn in as a member of parliament on Monday after winning a special election on Thursday. That victory was described as clearing Burnham’s path to run for the party leadership.

Reasons and context given in the report

The report says Starmer’s term was marked by policy U-turns and deep public unpopularity. It credits him with reshaping Labour into an election-winning party that clinched a decisive victory in 2024, ending 14 years of Conservative rule.

His time in office was described as derailed by missteps including benefits cuts and criticism over defence spending plans. The piece notes he was nearly ousted in March over his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as the UK ambassador to Washington, an appointment that drew controversy because of Mandelson’s known association with Jeffrey Epstein.

The report also cites the rapid rise of the far-right, anti-immigration Reform UK party and says Reform UK defeated Labour in local elections in May, further weakening Starmer’s position.

Transition and final remarks

Starmer said he would give his 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.”

The item was published with an AFP byline and was presented as a breaking news story being updated with more details to follow.