Monday, June 22nd 2026 - 09:26 UTC
The pressure on Starmer intensified after Burnham returned to Parliament by winning the Makerfield by-election, in northern England
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday his resignation as leader of the Labour Party, a decision that clears the way for the former mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, to succeed him at the head of the party and the government. Starmer, who announced the move after losing the support of his parliamentary group, will remain as caretaker prime minister until a new leader is chosen.
“I will resign as leader of the Labour Party. I have spoken to His Majesty the King this morning to inform him of my decision,” Starmer said to the media outside his Downing Street residence. He explained that he took the decision after asking his ministers whether he was the most suitable person to lead Labour 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,” he said. The announcement contrasted with his stance on Friday, when he had vowed to “stand and fight” in any internal contest.
The pressure on Starmer intensified after Burnham returned to Parliament by winning the Makerfield by-election, in northern England, on June 18. Burnham, who had planned to challenge him for the leadership, is the overwhelming favorite to succeed him. In the preceding weeks, Health Secretary Wes Streeting had resigned —criticizing the prime minister's “indecision”— and Defense Secretary John Healey had quit over a dispute on military funding; several ministers had asked him to set a departure timetable.
