UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer resigns

During a statement outside 10 Downing Street this morning (22 June), Starmer announced his resignation and said every decision he has made in office to date has been about “putting the country I love first”. “The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election,” Starmer said during his speech. “I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that questions and I accept that answer with good grace. “The decision I have taken has been about putting the country I love and my party first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour party.” Ahead of announcing his resignation, Starmer said he inherited a Labour party that was “politically, financially and morally bankrupt”. Starmer also noted that despite being told “time and time again that the party was finished”, he “proved those people wrong”. Advertisement During his speech, he added that he is leaving the “biggest job in the country” to spend more time on his family, which he called “the most important job”. Starmer said he would do everything he can to “ensure an orderly handover of power” and will remain in post until the “leadership contest” is complete. Starmer asked the National Executive Committee of the Labour party to set out a timetable with nominations opening for leadership on 9 July. He will remain in post as prime minister until the new leader is in place before parliament returns this September. The news follows Great Manchester mayor Andy Burnham’s victorious Makerfield byelection last week (18 June), which will see him be sworn in as Makerfield’s new member of parliament. Have your say or a new account to join the discussion.