Keir Starmer Resigns Amid Party Pressure

The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, announced on Monday his resignation, pressured by his own party after mistakes that soured voters’ goodwill. Starmer had won a landslide electoral victory two years ago promising stable leadership and economic growth.

Starmer stated that he will remain as interim Prime Minister until the party selects a new Labour leader. Many expect the former Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, to be the frontrunner. Confirming this, Burnham posted on social media that he will participate in the process. His main rival, former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, announced his support for Burnham.

Burnham’s victory in a recent parliamentary by-election prompted Starmer’s resignation. After nearly a decade away from Parliament serving as Greater Manchester’s mayor, Burnham is set to return to Westminster, taking his oath as a legislator. Only Members of Parliament can run for the party leadership.

Streeting’s support makes Burnham’s selection likely without a leadership contest. Starmer is the sixth Prime Minister in a decade to announce an early departure. His statement comes a day before the UK marks the tenth anniversary of its vote to leave the European Union, a decision still impacting the country’s economy and politics.

Starmer, after weeks of insisting he would fight to keep his position, succumbed to growing pressure to step aside for new leadership that might revive the government’s flagging fortunes. He led Labour to an election victory in July 2024, but both his and the party’s popularity have since declined.

Starmer made the announcement at the official residence of the Prime Minister, 10 Downing Street, where he first spoke as Prime Minister two years ago. Emotion touched his voice during his brief statement, witnessed by staff, cabinet ministers, and many journalists.

“The question my party now asks is if I am the best positioned to lead us into the next general elections.”

He acknowledged speaking with King Charles III, the UK’s constitutional monarch, to inform him of his decision. Starmer spent the weekend reflecting on his future following Burnham’s by-election win. It’s unclear if Burnham, scheduled to take his parliamentary oath on Monday, will face a contest or secure an uncontested leadership. Starmer mentioned that nominations for a leadership contest would open on July 9, with the new leader in place by the time Parliament resumes on September 1.

If Burnham is unchallenged, the transition could occur by mid-July. Starmer faced struggles in fulfilling campaign promises around economic growth and public service improvements. His decision to appoint Peter Mandelson, a scandal-tinged friend of Jeffrey Epstein, as UK ambassador to the US met criticism.

Labour is losing liberal voters to the rising Green Party, while facing competition from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, leading national polls. US President Donald Trump weighed in before Starmer’s announcement, linking his potential departure to immigration and renewable energy issues.

Starmer’s initially warm relationship with Trump has cooled in recent months over issues like the UK’s stance on the conflict with Iran. Starmer earned international praise, particularly for rallying European support for Ukraine against Russia’s invasion and addressing the economic turmoil by the Iran conflict.

A NATO summit in Turkey next month might be Starmer’s last international engagement as UK leader. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen complimented Starmer, noting his swift rise to statesmanship in European and Ukrainian security matters.

Despite support for Burnham from many Labour legislators, some argue Starmer was treated unfairly. London legislator Neil Coyle criticized the media circus and questioned the expectations placed on the next leader’s ability to address global issues.

Journalists Danica Kirka in London and Sam McNeil in Brussels contributed to this story.

This story was translated from English by an AP editor with the assistance of a generative AI tool.