Sir Keir Starmer has resigned as Labour leader, triggering a succession process that could hand new Makerfield MP Andy Burnham the keys to No 10 within weeks.
In an emotional statement outside Downing Street, Starmer said he had accepted the verdict of his MPs that he was no longer the right person to lead his party into the next election.
“I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace,” he said. He confirmed he had spoken to the King to inform him of his decision.
It came days after Burnham’s decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election, which handed the former Greater Manchester mayor a Commons seat – and the ability to mount a leadership bid.
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