On 22 June, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his intention to step down as Prime Minister and as leader of the Labour Party. The name of the new Prime Minister will be announced in September
Before announcing his resignation, Starmer said he had inherited a Labour Party that was “politically, financially and morally bankrupt”, according to the BBC. He added that he had transformed the party by “rooting out the poison of antisemitism” and “restoring confidence in the economy, defence and national security”.
Keir Starmer said he would do everything possible to ensure an orderly handover of power and would give his successor his full support. He also thanked his friends and colleagues who had stood by him over the past six years, as well as staff at 10 Downing Street and the “Emergency Civil Service”.
As reported by the Observer, citing sources, the day before the resignation was announced, Starmer had been facing increasing pressure from the Labour Party leadership, including members of his own cabinet. A growing number of MPs are backing Manchester’s mayor, Andy Burnham, as the next Labour leader and future prime minister.
However, according to media reports, Starmer is unlikely to step down as early as 22 June. He is expected to remain Prime Minister for the coming weeks, during which his successor will be chosen. It is unclear whether the election for the new party leader will involve several candidates or whether Burnham will receive sufficient support to be immediately declared Starmer’s successor.