Updated June 22, 2026 — 7:30pm,first published 6:37pmLondon: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced he will resign as Labour leader so the party can choose his replacement by September, paving the way for the country’s seventh leader in just over a decade.Less than two years after he won a landslide election victory that promised to end chaos in British politics, Starmer admitted his party wanted him to go and said nominations for his successor would open in about two weeks – without naming his most likely replacement, Andy Burnham.Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces his resignation.Getty ImagesThe decision comes after at least a year of discontent within the Labour Party over Starmer’s performance and months of rumour about potential challengers, leading Starmer to set out a timetable that keeps him in power while the party decides on a new leader.Burnham, the former Greater Manchester mayor and a health minister in Westminster before he left parliament almost a decade ago, is due to be sworn in as an MP again after winning a byelection for the northern seat of Makerfield last week.With many Labour MPs throwing their support behind Burnham, Starmer faced a decision on whether to contest a leadership ballot or announce his departure. After mulling his political future at his country retreat Chequers over the weekend, he ultimately announced his resignation on Monday morning (London time) in front of dozens of television cameras in Downing Street.Starmer said he had asked the party’s national executive to open nominations for the leadership on July 9, ensuring a new leader would be in place by the time parliament returned in 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,” an emotional Starmer said.“Every decision I’ve taken has been about putting the country I love first.“That is why I will resign as the leader of the Labour Party. ”Starmer said he had informed King Charles of his decision.He said he would do everything he could to ensure an orderly handover of power and would give his successor his “full and unequivocal support”.The timetable means Labour would decide on a new leader, and the country would have a new prime minister, in time for the Labour Party conference due to be held in Liverpool in the week beginning September 28 – an annual gathering that is usually marked by a major speech from the leader.The move follows Starmer’s steep slide in the polls.His government suffered backbench revolts over welfare and spending policies, a tax scandal claimed deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, and Starmer’s judgment was called into question over his appointment of Peter Mandelson, a friend of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as Britain’s ambassador to the US.Last month, Labour lost hundreds of council positions in local government elections, triggering grave doubts about the party’s fortunes.The threat to Starmer increased sharply on Friday when Burnham decisively beat a candidate from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, which has led national opinion polls, in the Makerfield race.His statement came one day after cabinet ministers urged him to make way for Burnham.US President Donald Trump fuelled talk of an imminent resignation by declaring it would happen, one day before the actual announcement.“Keir Starmer will resign as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom,” Trump posted on Truth Social.Starmer holds hands with his wife Victoria ahead of announcing his resignation.Getty Images“He failed badly on two very important subjects – IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (OPEN NORTH SEA OIL!). I wish him well! President DJT.”This angered many in Britain’s political ranks and was seen as a breach of the usual protocols between two longstanding allies.Doubts continue over how the new leader will be decided, given that some want a “coronation” of Burnham without a ballot, while others believe there should be a vote. Former health secretary Wes Streeting has also put himself forward as a potential leader, although there are rumours that he could accept a senior position in a new cabinet and back Burnham.Kyle argued for a ballot rather than a decision to elevate Burnham unopposed.Cabinet ministers had urged Starmer to make way for rival Andy Burnham.Getty Images“My approach to this has always been that contests are better wherever possible,” he told the BBC after his Sky interview.“That needs to be balanced with the needs of maintaining the authority of the party through any processes as they unfold.”While Starmer has often been criticised in the media for his flat speaking style, he was emotional when he finished his remarks in Downing Street.He thanked his wife, Victoria, and said he would focus on looking after his family.“Being the best husband I can, to my fantastic wife Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad,” he said of his future.“And being the best dad that I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and joy.”David Crowe is Europe correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect via X or email.From our partners