An emotional Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation as prime minister and Labour leader on Monday morning, less than two years after winning a landslide general election. Speaking outside No 10, he thanked his wife in what he described as the “proudest moment” of his life. He said he had spoken to the King and that a new Labour leader would be in place before Parliament returns in September.
Starmer’s departure followed days of intense pressure from Labour MPs, including cabinet ministers, after Andy Burnham’s thumping by-election victory in Makerfield last Thursday. The former Greater Manchester mayor was sworn in as the constituency’s MP on Monday afternoon, hours after Starmer’s statement. As his name was announced in the Commons, Labour MPs cheered, while opposition MPs teased him with cries of “Who?” and “Rome is saved.” One joked “he’s not the Messiah!”, to which Burnham replied “naughty boy”.
“Keir Starmer resigned as PM and Labour leader after intense pressure, with Andy Burnham poised to succeed him.”
Burnham is now the clear frontrunner to succeed Starmer. Ex-health secretary Wes Streeting, who had promised to enter any leadership race, withdrew and backed Burnham on Monday. Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander also backed him, calling Burnham a “proven winner” and “one of the most experienced political leaders in Britain today”. Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who was the first major party figure to call for Starmer to quit in February, said he was “proud” of his work with Starmer but acknowledged “missteps” had been made.
Starmer’s record included bringing rail into public ownership, the Renters’ Rights Bill, a rise in the minimum wage, creating GB Energy, and a reset with the EU. He also stood up to Donald Trump over the Iran war, refusing to be steamrolled into conflict. But his premiership was harmed by misjudgements such as cutting the winter fuel allowance, the Mandelson appointment, and local election losses. John Healey’s resignation over defence spending exposed a government losing its grip on its own party.
Burnham is expected to give a speech on fiscal policy next week. Markets have reacted mutedly to Starmer’s departure. The Mirror, in an editorial, thanked Starmer for his dignity and decades of public service, noting he “did not fail this country” but “failed to make the country feel what he had done for it”. First Minister John Swinney said Starmer had made the correct decision, adding “it was past time for him to face reality”.
If Burnham runs uncontested, he could be crowned as early as mid-July, becoming the UK’s seventh prime minister in a decade. After his swearing-in, Burnham posed for photos with Labour MPs, appearing jubilant after nine years away from the Commons.