LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday that he was resigning as leader of the governing Labour Party and would step down as prime minister once a successor is chosen, ending a tenure of less than two years after Labour’s landslide election victory in 2024.
Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, Starmer said he had concluded that a leadership transition was in the party’s interests following months of internal pressure and declining political support. He said he would remain as caretaker prime minister until Labour completes a leadership contest and selects a new leader.
“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,” Starmer said in his statement. He added that he accepted “with good grace” the view within the party that new leadership was needed before the next general election.
The announcement followed weeks of political turmoil within Labour after disappointing local election results and growing criticism from some lawmakers over the government’s direction. Senior ministers had publicly defended Starmer in recent months, but calls for a leadership change intensified after electoral setbacks across parts of England, Scotland and Wales.
Starmer, a former director of public prosecutions, led Labour back into government in July 2024 after more than a decade in opposition. His government pursued policies focused on economic stability, public services and international engagement, but opinion polls and election results suggested declining public support during his second year in office.
Potential successors began positioning themselves on Monday. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham was widely identified by British media as a leading contender to replace Starmer, while other senior Labour figures were reported to be considering whether to enter the contest. Labour officials said details of the leadership election timetable would be announced in the coming weeks.
Opposition parties responded by calling for political clarity as the transition begins. Some critics argued that a change of Labour leader should be followed by a national election, while Labour figures emphasized that the governing party retains its parliamentary mandate from the 2024 vote. Details of any further parliamentary action remain unclear.
As of Monday evening, Starmer remained prime minister and Labour leader in a caretaker capacity. Party officials said the process for selecting a successor would begin in July, with a new leader expected before Parliament returns from its summer recess.
