Keir Starmer says he will quit as Labour Party leader, paving the way for a contest to decide a new prime minister.

Speaking in Downing Street, Keir said he accepted he was not best placed to lead Labour into the next general election and he had informed the King of his decision to step down.

Keir added he has asked Labour’s governing body to set out a timetable to replace him, with nominations opening on 9 July and ending by the summer recess on 16 July.

He said if there was a contest then a new leader would be in place before parliament returns in September, and he will “do everything” he can to ensure an “orderly” transition of power.
Keir said he would remain as prime minister until the leadership contest is complete.

He added he would also give his 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”.

Sir Keir was elected leader of the Labour Party in April 2020 and became prime minister on 5 July 2024 following Labour’s general election victory.

His decision to step down means the United Kingdom (UK) will soon have its seventh prime minister since 2016.

Keir was accompanied by his wife, Victoria, as he walked out of 10 Downing Street to deliver his resignation speech.

He said: “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.”

Keir had spent the weekend mulling over his future at Chequers, the prime minister’s country residence in Buckinghamshire.

Pressure from within Labour had been mounting on Keir to outline a timetable for his departure following Andy Burnham’s victory in last week’s Makerfield by-election.

Burnham, the former Greater Manchester mayor, is regarded by many as the frontrunner to replace Sir Keir after he secured his return to parliament with an emphatic win over his Reform UK rival.

Burnham is expected to travel to Westminster on Monday to formally take up his seat as a member of parliament.

Former health secretary Wes Streeting has also previously outlined his intention to join any Labour leadership contest.

Discontent towards Keir’s leadership had also been rising before a poor set of election results in England, Wales and Scotland in May.

This included his decision to change direction on three major policies in a month after pressure from within his own party.

Keir’s decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the United States also led to questions about his judgement and the wider Downing Street operation.

Mandelson was sacked after new information came to light about the depth of his relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

– BBC

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