Keir Starmer announced his intention to step down as Britain’s prime minister on Monday, succumbing to intense party pressure as his popularity plummeted and rivals manoeuvred to challenge him.“Every decision I have taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party,” an emotional Starmer said in a short speech outside 10 Downing Street in London.Starmer, who up until Monday had resisted calls to stand aside, said he would remain caretaker prime minister until a new Labour leader was chosen in the next few weeks. It was anticipated that there would be a new prime minister in place by September and Starmer offered his successor his “full and unequivocal support”.He made the announcement on the same day his likely successor, Andy Burnham, was due to be sworn in as an MP after winning a pivotal vote last Friday.Within hours of Starmer’s announcement, Burnham confirmed he would seek the leadership, calling for an “orderly and responsible” transition.“I will put myself forward as part of this process,” Burnham wrote on X.