Starmer resigns as Burnham launches bid for prime minister

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced his resignation after losing the confidence of Labour MPs.

Speaking outside Downing Street on Monday, Starmer confirmed that he had informed King Charles III of his decision and would step down as leader of the Labour Party.

“The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election,” Starmer said. “I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.”

Starmer said he would remain in office while Labour elects a new leader. “I will remain in post as Prime Minister until the contest is complete, and I will do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power,” he said.

He confirmed that nominations for the Labour leadership contest will open on 9 July and conclude before Parliament returns from its summer recess in September.

“Every decision I’ve taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party,” Starmer said.

The outgoing prime minister used his speech to defend his record in office, citing economic growth, rising wages, falling NHS waiting lists, increased defence spending and a reduction in small boat crossings.

His departure follows months of criticism over tougher immigration measures, proposed cuts to disability benefits and changes to winter fuel payments for pensioners.

History will judge Keir Starmer as a man who lied his way to the top of the Labour Party and then used that power to evoke Enoch Powell with “island of strangers”, keep children in poverty, attack disabled people, scapegoat refugees, strip back civil liberties, and hand our… https://t.co/n8reb1dn6d

— Zarah Sultana MP (@zarahsultana)

June 22, 2026

Pressure intensified after Labour’s poor performance in the May local elections and growing concern among MPs that Starmer had become an electoral liability despite leading the party to a landslide victory in the 2024 general election.

Makerfield MP Andy Burnham has confirmed that he will seek to replace Starmer. In a statement posted on social media, Burnham thanked Starmer for his service and called for an orderly transition.

“Keir has given huge service to our country and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication during such a challenging period,” Burnham said.

“I will put myself forward as part of this process”, Burnham said while announcing his bid as Prime Minister.

Burnham won the Makerfield by-election on 19 June after defeating Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon, returning him to Parliament ahead of the leadership contest.

Former health secretary Wes Streeting, who resigned from the cabinet in May and publicly called on Starmer to step down, has ruled himself out of the race and endorsed Burnham’s candidacy.

In a statement released on Monday, Streeting said he had spoken at length with Burnham and was convinced there was “a place” for the policies he had been advocating under a Burnham leadership.

“Having spoken at length with Andy in recent days, I’m convinced that there is a place for those ideas under his leadership,” Streeting said.

Streeting added that Burnham was “committed to building an inclusive party” and urged Labour members to unite behind him.

“We could spend the summer exaggerating small differences, or we can roll up our sleeves and help him to deliver the change our Party and our country needs,” he said.

Other potential contenders identified by BBC News include former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, Energy Secretary and former Labour leader Ed Miliband, and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

Rayner resigned as deputy prime minister, deputy Labour leader and housing secretary in 2025 after admitting she had underpaid tax.

Under Labour Party rules, Starmer could still enter the leadership contest despite announcing his resignation.

“Under the party rules, there is nothing to stop Sir Keir Starmer standing in a leadership race – and on Monday he told journalists he would do exactly that, if a contest emerged,” BBC News reported.

However, Starmer said he would remain focused on ensuring an orderly transition while Labour chooses its next leader.

Streeting’s decision not to run significantly strengthens Burnham’s position. With nominations set to open on 9 July, Burnham is now widely viewed as the clear frontrunner to become Labour leader and Britain’s next prime minister.

No other senior Labour figure has publicly declared an intention to stand, although additional candidates could still emerge before nominations close.

If no credible challenger enters the race or secures sufficient support from Labour MPs, Burnham could be elected unopposed and take office before Parliament returns from its summer recess in September; and Streeting could return in the Burnham’s cabinet.

Keir Starmer’s resignation full speech

“Walking up this street two years ago was the proudest moment of my life. A new Labour government, the first in 14 years.

A page in our country’s history turned after years of disappointment and despair. The chance to change the lives of millions of people for the better.

That’s what I came into politics for. The journey to that point was not easy. Six years ago, I inherited a Labour Party that was politically, financially, and morally bankrupt.

I was told time and time again that my party was finished, that we were consigned to history, that a majority at the general election, let alone a landslide majority, was impossible. But we proved those people wrong because we changed our party, ripping out the poison of antisemitism, restoring trust on the economy, defence, and national security, and becoming a party that once again stood proudly with, not against, our national flag.

The hard work of change was with a singular purpose—Not power for power’s sake, but to change Britain for the better. To build a fairer country with dignity and respect, where everyone is seen, everyone is valued, wealth and opportunity for all, not just the privileged few.

And look at what we’ve achieved in just two years: an economy that is stronger, growing faster than our peers, wages rising faster than inflation in every single month since we came to power. Investment secured, infrastructure being built, an end to austerity with the fastest fall in NHS waiting lists for 17 years, the biggest improvement in rights for workers and renters in a generation, the biggest uplift in defence spending since the Cold War, small boat crossings falling, asylum hotels closing, protecting young people from social media, and half a million children being lifted out of poverty because of the choices that I made.

Our reputation in the world restored, with Britain once again standing up for decency, respect, and the rule of law, securing trade deals, standing with Ukraine, standing up for our values and rebuilding our relationship with our allies in Europe.

Change promised by a Labour government, change fought for by a Labour government, change delivered by a Labour government. But I know the question being asked now is not who was best placed to change the Labour Party, to take us into power, and to begin the vital work of improving lives for millions of people. Those questions have been answered.

The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us 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. Every decision I’ve taken has been about putting the country I love first.

That is why 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. I will ask the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party to set out a timetable with nominations opening on the 9th of July. And completed by the summer recess.

In the case of a contest, this will ensure a new leader is in place before Parliament returns in September. I will remain in post as Prime Minister until the contest is complete, and I will do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power.

I will also give my successor my full and unequivocal support, knowing that they will inherit a Britain that is far stronger and fairer than the one I inherited two years ago, better prepared for the challenges ahead, and better able to ensure the Labour Party secures a second term in office.

I want to thank all of those friends and colleagues who have been at my side for these past six years or so for their incredible commitment, service, and support.

I want to thank the brilliant Number 10 staff and our country’s extraordinary civil service who dedicate their lives to public service.

And when I leave the biggest job in the country, I shall spend more time on the most important job: being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad, and being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and my joy. Thank you very much.”