News Screen – British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, announced his resignation from the position of leader of the government and leader of the Labor Party on Monday, June 22 2026, after facing increasing political pressure from within his party.
In his statement in front of the Prime Minister’s office at 10 Downing Street, Starmer admitted that he no longer had the support of a majority of Labor MPs to lead the party into the next general election.
He stated that he had conveyed the decision to King Charles III and would remain in office until the process of selecting a new leader was complete.
Also read: Keir Starmer refuses to step down amid crisis and split in the British Labor Party
“I have heard the answer from my parliamentary party about whether I am still the right person to lead, and I have accepted it gracefully,” Starmer said in an emotional speech.
Starmer’s resignation came after his political position continued to weaken following Labor’s poor results in local and regional elections in May. The defeat sparked a wave of criticism from lawmakers and a number of cabinet ministers who called for a change in leadership.
The pressure grew after Andy Burnham, a senior Labor figure and Mayor of Greater Manchester, returned to parliament after winning a by-election in the Makerfield area.
The victory strengthens speculation that Burnham will run for the seat of party leader and candidate for next prime minister.
Starmer asked the Labor Party’s National Executive Committee to immediately draw up a timetable for selecting a new leader. The nomination process is scheduled to begin on July 9, with the aim of a new leader being elected before parliament returns to session after the summer recess.
Apart from Burnham, the name of former Health Minister Wes Streeting has also been mentioned as potentially being involved in the Labor Party leadership contest. However, until now Burnham is still considered the strongest candidate to replace Starmer.
Starmer’s resignation marks the end of his leadership period which began after the Labor Party’s big victory in the 2024 election. However, along the way, his government was marked by various challenges, ranging from a decline in popularity, policy changes, to internal party rebellions.
If the succession process goes according to plan, Britain will have its seventh prime minister in the past decade, extending a period of political dynamism that has persisted since the post-Brexit era.***
