Keir Starmer resigns as British Prime Minister

Sir Keir Starmer has announced he is stepping down as British Prime Minister and Leader of the Labor Party, less than two years after leading the party to a landslide victory in the 2024 general election.

In a statement outside 10 Downing Street on Monday, Starmer said he had accepted “graciously” that he was no longer the best person to lead Labor into the next election.

He will remain as caretaker Prime Minister until a new Labor Party leader is elected.

Starmer’s departure marks the end of a tumultuous period in Labor government and continues a pattern of short-lived prime ministerships in recent British politics – he becomes the sixth British Prime Minister in the last 10 years.

He emphasized that his term of office was guided by what he believed was best for the country.

“Every decision I make is to put the country I love first,” he said.

In his statement, Starmer confirmed he had informed King Charles III of his resignation and directed the Labor Party’s National Executive Committee to begin the process of electing a new leader and nominations would open on July 9, with the transition expected to be completed before parliament resumes in September.