U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation on the 22nd local time. Less than two years after leading the Labor Party to a landslide victory in the 2024 general election and achieving the first change of government in 14 years, Starmer is stepping down as prime minister.
Starmer said in a statement released in front of 10 Downing St. in London that day, "I have heard the Parliamentary Labor Party's answer on whether I am the best person to lead the Labor Party into the next general election," adding, "I humbly accept that judgment."
Starmer said, "I will ask the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labor Party to set a timetable to start nominations for (party leader) on July 9 and complete them by the summer recess," adding, "In the case of the (party leader) contest, we will ensure a new leader is decided before the opening of Parliament in September." He said, "I will remain as prime minister until the contest ends and do everything to ensure an orderly transfer of power," adding, "I will fully support my successor."
A former human rights lawyer, Starmer became leader of the Labor Party in 2020, moved the party to the center, and strengthened a pragmatic line, leading to victory in the 2024 general election. At the time, U.K. voters showed fatigue with the Conservatives' long rule, and Starmer emphasized "stability and practicality," succeeding in changing the government.
But after taking power, the situation deteriorated rapidly. As the U.K. economy struggled to recover and issues such as the cost-of-living burden, worsening public services, and illegal immigration remained unresolved, support for the Labor Party continued to fall. In recent local elections, the Labor Party also posted results below expectations, intensifying calls to hold the leadership accountable.
However, after taking power, the situation was not easy. As the U.K. economic recovery was delayed and the cost-of-living burden, worsening public services, and illegal immigration issues persisted, support for the Labor Party showed a downward trend. In recent local elections, the Labor Party also fell short of expectations, and calls to hold the leadership accountable grew.
In the end, within the party, voices spread that "it is difficult to fight the next general election under the current leadership." Labor Party lawmakers repeatedly called for a change in leadership, and competition over the next party leader intensified. The controversy earlier this year over the appointment of former ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson also became a burden on the Starmer government. At the time, the prime minister's chief of staff and head of communications resigned in succession, and some in the Labor Party publicly called for Starmer to step down.
In British political circles, former Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is widely seen as the de facto frontrunner to be the next prime minister. Burnham has received open support from a significant number of lawmakers in the party and is regarded as the key figure who effectively shook the Starmer system. On the 18th, Burnham won a by-election for the House of Commons in the Makerfield constituency, meeting the minimum qualification for prime minister and preparing to run for party leader.