U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday, bringing an end to a turbulent tenure marked by record-low approval ratings and internal party strife.
Starmer, who led the Labour Party to a landslide victory in July 2024, submitted his resignation to King Charles III following mounting pressure and the sweeping victory of former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham in a by-election to enter Parliament as the new MP of Makerfield. Burnham is highly tipped to succeed Starmer as Prime Minister following a wave of internal support, and could take over as early as September.
“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 at 10 Downing Street. “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. I have spoken to his Majesty the King this morning to inform him of my decision.”
This marks the sixth U.K. Prime Minister resignation in 10 years, following David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.
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