Keir Starmer resigns as UK prime minister

BREAKING

The announcement was made this morning (Monday 22 June) with Starmer addressing the nation from outside No 10.

It comes following reports before and over the weekend that Starmer would be considering his future ahead of today (22 June).

The Times reported on Friday that the prime minister was "set to consider his future this weekend" and will "make a decision with his wife and family".

This follows Andy Burnham's win in the Makerfield by-election, propelling him back into parliament after spending nine years as mayor of Greater Manchester.

Pressure had been mounting on Starmer from within in his own party for some time with a growing number of MPs calling on him to step down.

This number currently sits at around 100 out of the party's 403 MPs.

Discontent inside and outside Labour came to a head in last month's local elections which saw his party lose over 1,400 councillors, much to the profit of Reform.

Starmer was elected as leader of the Labour Party on 4 April 2020, succeeding Jeremy Corbyn.

He became prime minister on 4 July 2024 with a majority in the House of Commons of 411 members (now 403).

He beat the opposition, the Conservatives with 121 (now 116 seats), comfortably.

What happens now?

Keir Starmer has resigned. Credit: Getty.

After a PM announces they are stepping down, they must travel to see the monarch to make the decision officially - this is usually done at Buckingham Palace.

At this point, Starmer will make his resignation official, however, this doesn't mean he will immediately disappear.

Often, an outgoing PM will assume the role as a 'caretaker' but in a limited capacity, avoiding major policy decisions and focussing only on essential government business.

Starmer will remain in this role until a replacement is chosen by the party.

In the case of Boris Johnson, it took a number of months before he was officially replaced by Rishi Sunak.

Once a replacement has been chosen, Starmer will no longer be in charge, although will, of course, remain MP for Holborn and St Pancras - unless he also choses to leave that role too.

There will not be a general election.

Will Andy Burnham replace Starmer?

Known as the 'King of the North' the current mayor of Greater Manchester is by far the most popular Labour politician currently.

And, with his recent return to parliament following his win in the Makerfield by-election, Burnham is poised to pounce on the Labour premiership.

Many would struggle to disagree that Burnham has done a solid job in Manchester, helping it become the fastest-growing city in the UK outside of London, although this was also helped by those before him.

YouGov has the 'metro-mayor' as the most liked Labour politician with a 35% positive opinion rate.

Burnham has left his intention clearly out on the table for everyone to see - he wants that prime minister role, and he's pretty much set to get it.

Anyone else winning a Labour leadership contest would be a huge shock - especially when you consider who their working with.