Less than two years after winning a landslide general election, Sir Keir Starmer has been forced out of Downing Street by his own party, becoming Labour's shortest-serving prime minister. In an emotional resignation speech, he said his party had asked "whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election" and he accepted that answer "with good grace."
Sir Keir Starmer became Labour leader and then prime minister with a reputation as a sensible, pragmatic politician — a top lawyer who had come late to politics, only becoming an MP in his 50s. He promised to "restore service and respect to politics, end the era of noisy performance, tread more lightly on your lives and unite our country." But within weeks of arriving in Downing Street, his popularity nosedived after a series of mis-steps and policy U-turns. His procedural, methodical style was summed up by his Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, who dubbed him "Mr Rules." Critics said he lacked communication skills and came across as stiff and wooden in an age when authenticity and emotion dominate politics.
“Why Sir Keir Starmer resigned as PM less than two years after his landslide victory.”
Starmer's 2024 election victory put him in very rarefied company — only two previous Labour leaders, Tony Blair and Clement Attlee, had won three-figure parliamentary majorities. However, it was achieved on an historically low share of the national vote. The economic situation also weighed heavily: one economic statistic in particular is expected to haunt his legacy, though the source text does not specify which.
The fall from grace was dramatic. Less than two years after celebrating a landslide victory and seemingly set to dominate British politics, Starmer was ejected from power by his own party. He is now contemplating a return to the back benches. The growing army of critics among his own MPs felt he lacked a clear ideology and was not very good at politics. His lack of baggage — he once boasted that there would never be such a thing as Starmerism — was seen by some as a strength, but by others as a weakness.
For UK readers, Starmer's resignation matters because it throws the country into political uncertainty. His successor is expected to be Andy Burnham, the self-styled 'King of the North', who is on course for a 'coronation' next month. In a Daily Mail readers' poll, 89% said the new leader should call a general election. Burnham's arrival in Westminster was met with scenes of near-hysteria, according to the Mail.
Q: Why did Keir Starmer resign as Prime Minister? He resigned after losing the confidence of his own parliamentary party. In a resignation speech, he said his party had asked whether he was best placed to lead them into the next election, and he accepted their answer.
Q: How long was Keir Starmer Prime Minister? He served less than two years, from his landslide victory in the 2024 general election until his resignation. He is Labour's shortest-serving prime minister.
Q: Who is likely to replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader? Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, is expected to succeed him. He has been dubbed the 'King of the North' and is described as a 'messiah' figure by some, but critics say he lacks a national mandate.
What happens next: Andy Burnham is on course to be confirmed as Labour leader next month. There are calls, including from 89% of Daily Mail readers polled, for him to call an immediate general election rather than wait until the scheduled date.