Keir Starmer resigns as UK Prime Minister due to Labour Party turmoil

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation, stepping down less than two years after leading the Labour Party to a landslide election victory in 2024. Starmer said he had “heard the answer” from his party regarding his leadership and would leave office once a successor is chosen.

Starmer will continue as caretaker prime minister until the Labour Party completes its leadership election process. His resignation follows weeks of mounting pressure from Labour lawmakers after poor local election results, declining public support and growing internal dissent within the party.

The crisis deepened after former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham returned to Parliament through a recent by-election and emerged as the frontrunner to replace Starmer. Burnham's growing support among Labour MPs intensified speculation over a leadership change.

Starmer's tenure was marked by economic challenges, policy reversals and controversies that weakened his standing within Labour. However, he also received praise for his role in supporting Ukraine and managing key international diplomatic issues.

His departure marks another chapter of political instability in Britain, which has seen multiple prime ministers leave office before completing a full term in recent years. The Labour Party will now begin the process of selecting a new leader who will also become the country's next prime minister.