Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer makes a statement on his future outside 10 Downing Street on the morning of June 22, 2026, in London. Photo: Henry Nicholls / AFP / Lehtikuva
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Keir Starmer has announced he will step down as prime minister and leader of the Labour Party, bringing an end to a premiership that lasted less than two years after Labour's election victory in July 2024. The decision follows months of pressure from Labour MPs and comes days after Andy Burnham returned to Parliament with a by-election win that reshaped the political landscape.
Starmer made the announcement outside 10 Downing Street on Monday. He said he had accepted that he was no longer the right person to lead Labour into the next general election and had informed King Charles of his intention to resign as party leader.
The prime minister said he would remain in office until Labour completes a leadership contest expected to conclude before Parliament returns in September. Labour's National Executive Committee will oversee the process, with nominations due to open on 9 July and close before the summer recess on 16 July.
