British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party, less than two years after leading the party to a landslide victory in the 2024 general election.
In a statement issued on June 22, 2026, Starmer said he had informed King Charles III of his decision and would remain in office until a new Labour leader is elected and formally takes over as prime minister.
The resignation follows weeks of mounting pressure within the governing Labour Party after disappointing local election results and growing concerns among party members about the government’s direction.
In his resignation address, Starmer acknowledged that many within Labour no longer believed he was the best person to lead the party into the next general election.
Despite stepping down, he defended his record in office, citing efforts to rebuild Labour, restore public confidence and strengthen Britain’s economic and national security foundations.
His departure has triggered a leadership contest within Labour, with Andy Burnham emerging as the leading contender to succeed him. Several other senior Labour figures are also expected to enter the race in the coming weeks.
Starmer’s resignation marks another major shift in British politics and opens a new chapter for the Labour government as it seeks to rebuild support ahead of the next general election.
