Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 6:42pmMon 22 Jun 2026 at 6:42pmIn short: Sir Keir Starmer has announced he will step down as prime minister of the United Kingdom. He said he would remain as caretaker prime minister until a new Labour leader is chosen. What's next? Former Greater Manchester mayor and new Labour MP Andy Burnham is expected to stand for the position.Sir Keir Starmer says he will resign as prime minister of the United Kingdom.He said his decision came after speaking with the King earlier today, local time, and was in the best interests of the country.He will remain as caretaker prime minister until a new Labour leader is chosen in the next few weeks.Sir Keir made the announcement after facing growing pressure to hand over to a new leader who can try to revive the government’s flagging fortunes.As he made his speech, protesters nearby played the EU anthem, Beethoven's Ode to Joy.Sir Keir Starmer hugs his wife Victoria after announcing he will step down in coming weeks. (Reuters: Toby Shepheard)Sir Keir's voice choked with emotion near the end of his brief statement, made outside 10 Downing Street."The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election," Sir Keir said."I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace."He said once he left office he would "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," Sir Keir said. "And being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and my joy."Sir Keir has been in office since leading Labour to a landslide election victory in July 2024. In those two years, his popularity and that of the party have plummeted.His departure follows the victory of popular ex-mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham in a special election last week. Mr Burnham is due to be sworn in as a member of parliament today, local time.Sir Keir is the sixth prime minister in a decade to stand outside 10 Downing Street and announce a premature departure.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Sir Keir's legacy after news of his resignation, in a post online."It can take many leaders years to grow into the statesman you became in just two years," she said on X."European and Ukrainian security is stronger because of you. Thank you, dear Keir."AP