British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday morning, nearly two years after his Labour Party’s historic victory in the 2024 U.K. general election.

In a speech outside Downing Street, Starmer acknowledged that he no longer has the backing of his party.

“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,” Starmer said.

“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,” Starmer continued, adding that he had notified King Charles of his decision earlier.

Starmer said he would remain in office until his successor is chosen.

“I will also give my 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,” he said.

Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester who was sworn in as a lawmaker after winning a special election in Makerfield last week, is the clear favorite to succeed him as Labour Party leader and prime minister.

Starmer had been under intense pressure to step down following Burnham’s win. Burnham defeated a candidate from Reform UK, Nigel Farage’s right-wing party, which has been leading in the polls for over a year, sparking concern.

While Starmer had originally defied calls to step down and insisted he would join a potential Labour leadership contest, his statement Monday made clear that he intends to leave office.

Starmer said he will ask his party’s National Executive Committee to open nominations for the party’s new leader on July 9. If a contest happens, that leader would be in place by September, he explained.

If Burnham, who declared his intention to assume the party’s leadership, were to run uncontested, he could become Labour’s next leader once the nominations window closes.

“Keir has given huge service to our country and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication during such a challenging period. His decision marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way,” Burnham wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “I will put myself forward as part of this process.”

“The country expects stability, seriousness and a continued focus on the issues that matter most and that is what it will get,” he continued.

Meanwhile, Wes Streeting, who resigned as U.K. health minister last month, said he will back Burnham despite previously pledging to join a potential Labour leadership contest.

“We could spend the summer exaggerating small differences, or we can roll up our sleeves and help him to deliver the change our Party and our country needs. That is the choice that I am making and I hope that everyone else will back Andy, too,” Streeting said.

Starmer’s premiership was facing significant headwinds even before Burnham’s victory further intensified pressure on him to leave office. Starmer’s personal popularity stood at historic lows, while his party’s poor performance in the May local elections also raised questions about his leadership.

Starmer, who won a landslide victory in the 2024 general election, is the sixth U.K. prime minister to announce his resignation in less than 10 years, reflecting voters’ dissatisfaction.

The outgoing prime minister grew emotional toward the end of his speech as he mentioned his family.

“When I leave the biggest job in the country, I shall spend more time on the most important job, being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife, Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad, and being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and my joy,” he said, fighting back tears.

By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.