LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer conceded Monday that he had lost the support of his rank-and-file Labor Party members in Parliament and that he will step down once his successor as party leader is chosen, possibly as soon as the middle of July.Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester whose resounding victory in a special U.K. election last week set in motion Starmer’s resignation, has confirmed he will put himself forward to be his successor. Burnham is seen as the front-runner to replace Starmer, especially after his decisive victory Thursday in the seat of Makerfield in northwest England, showing that he could appeal to voters across the political spectrum. Despite Labour’s dismal poll ratings and substantial losses in local elections in May, Burnham defied electoral gravity. He was able to see off the challenge from the anti-immigration Reform UK candidate and mop up votes from other left-leaning political parties. He substantially increased Labour’s share of the vote to nearly 55%, which, if repeated on a similar scale across the country in the next general election, would no doubt see the party remain in power.
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer hugs his wife Victoria outside 10 Downing Street after speaking to the media in London, Monday, June 22, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
