Zac Crellin, Zac Crellin Journalist and editor based in Germanyzacrellin | Richard Connor with AFP, AP, dpa, Reuters, Richard Connor Reporting on stories from around the world, with a particular focus on Europe — especially Germany.
In an emotional speech at 10 Downing Street, Keir Starmer said he will step down after days of mounting pressure and speculation over his future. It comes as leadership contender Andy Burnham returns to parliament.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday said he would step down amid mounting political pressure.
He outlined his plans after a weekend of reflection, with ministers saying he had been weighing what is best for the country.
“The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election,” Starmer told reporters from a lectern outside 10 Downing Street.
“I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.”
“Every decision I have taken has been about putting the country I love first,” he said.
“That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party. I have spoken to His Majesty the King this morning to inform him of my decision.”
What happens next?
Nominations to replace Starmer as leader of the Labour Party, and thus British prime minister, will open on July 9.
“I will remain in post as prime minister until the contest is complete,” Starmer said. “And I will do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power.”
The clear frontrunner is former Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who is returning to the British parliament after winning a by-election on Sunday. He has contested the Labour Party leadership twice in the past.
Less than two hours after Starmer’s announcement, Burnham confirmed he would run to replace him as party leader and prime minister.
“Keir has given huge service to our country and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication during such a challenging period,” Burnham said.
“His decision marks the beginning of a transition, and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way. I will put myself forward as part of this process.”
Former health secretary Wes Streeting, who had been expected to challenge for the leadership and resigned as health secretary last month to protest Starmer’s leadership, said he would back Burnham.
It remains unclear whether Burnham will enjoy a coronation or if other MPs will emerge as challengers.
Pressure mounted against Starmer
Starmer’s announcement follows days of intense speculation, with reporters having gathered outside Downing Street awaiting clarity on his position.
Junior minister Jacqui Smith earlier said Starmer had been thinking “really hard” about his future and backed his decision.
It was a drastic change of fortune for the British prime minister, who had led Labour to a landslide victory in 2024 after 14 years of Conservative government in the UK.
Both parties have hemorrhaged votes to the rising, far-right Reform UK party. It has led opinion polls for more than a year.
Why was Starmer unpopular?
Starmer’s term in office got off to a shaky start when his government announced a hugely unpopular policy to remove winter fuel payments for millions of elderly people. The plan had not been in Labour’s election manifesto and the party eventually backtracked after widespread criticism.
Starmer also backed down from a plan to introduce an inheritance tax on family farms, while his decision to increase payroll tax and the minimum wage angered businesses.
His cabinet was also rocked by a number of scandals, including his former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner who stepped down last year over unpaid property tax.
More recently, Starmer sacked British ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, after the envoy’s deep ties to deceased sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein were revealed. Official government documents showed that Starmer had been warned of the reputational risks of appointing Mandelson but proceeded to do so anyway.
The scandal followed Starmer for months and saw two of his closest aides resign, along with the top civil servant in the UK Foreign Office. Starmer later admitted to parliament that his judgement at the time had been “wrong.”
Edited by Richard Connor
Source: dw.com