Keir Starmer said Monday he’ll step down as UK Labour Party leader, will remain UK prime minister until successor chosen.
Starmer is sixth person to be British prime minister in 10 turbulent years of U.K. politics
When he was elected in 2024 in a landslide victory for Labour, Starmer pledged to steady the ship and end years of political chaos under his predecessors, the Conservative Party.Starmer had succeeded Rishi Sunak, who held the top job from 2022 to 2024.Before Sunak, Liz Truss resigned only 45 days after becoming prime minister. Truss followed three other Conservative prime ministers: Boris Johnson (2019 to 2022), Theresa May (2016 to 2019), and David Cameron (2010 to 2016).
Formal contest to replace Starmer will begin in early July
The formal contest to replace Starmer will begin in early July and could end in a matter of days.Starmer said Monday that nominations will open on July 9 and close when Parliament breaks up for its summer recess, which is scheduled to begin July 16. The contest will be open to members of Parliament from the ruling Labour Party.Former Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is the leading candidate to replace Starmer. The question now is whether anyone will challenge him.If there is no challenge, Burnham could become Labour leader and thus prime minister soon after nominations close. Even if there is a contest, Starmer said a successor would be selected by Sept. 1.
