Main Points
- Keir Starmer has announced his decision to resign as British prime minister
- Speaking from Downing Street, Starmer said: “Every decision I’ve taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party”
- The move likely clears the way for Andy Burnham to become prime minister by the autumn or possibly as early as July 17th if there is no leadership contest
- Former mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham comfortably took a seat in the Makerfield byelection, defeating a Reform candidate
- Wes Streeting has said he will not contest the Labour leadership against Burnham
- Burnham was formally sworn in as an MP today
Key Reads
- Keir Starmer: No ode and no joy, just a man trying not to cry
- UK prime minister Keir Starmer’s resignation speech in full
- Analysis: Can Andy Burnham be a better prime minister than Keir Starmer?
- Andy Burnham’s Britain appears to be moving towards reality. What would it look like?
- Denis Staunton: They’ll say Starmer was a triumph on the world stage. It’s not true
‘Thank you, dear Keir’: Leaders pay tribute to Starmer
Soon after Starmer’s resignation speech at No 10, world leaders were quick to pay tribute to the British prime minister.
European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, tweeted: “It can take many leaders years to grow into the statesman you became in just two years. European and Ukrainian security is stronger because of you. Thank you, dear Keir.”
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, thanked Starmer for “all our co-operation, your support, and the joint decisions that have helped make our Europe and our protection of life stronger”.
The Kremlin’s chief spokesperson, however, said Starmer had “not done anything to distinguish himself on the issue of British-Russia relations” adding that it was unlikely anyone on the British political scene would take a different position.
German chancellor Friedrich Merz’s spokesperson said Starmer had always been “a reliable and close partner in foreign policy questions, particularly regarding Ukraine”.
UK prime minister Keir Starmer’s resignation speech in full
Speaking outside No 10 earlier today, British prime minister Keir Starmer thanked his wife in an emotional speech and said he wanted to be the “best dad I can to my beautiful children”.
You can read the full speech here.
‘He’s not the Messiah’: Burnham is sworn in as a new MP
Andy Burnham was sworn in as an MP a short while ago.
The BBC reports that that the new MP for Makerfield was mocked by some opposition MPs as he entered the Commons, including shouts of “he’s not the Messiah” and “Rome is saved”,
Labour’s newest MP took the jibes well, referencing Monty Python’s Life of Brian by quipping “I’m just a naughty boy” back at one of MPs.
Is the leadership election over already?
Labour MPs gathered in Westminster Hall earlier to have their photo taken with Andy Burnham.
While this is routine for by-election winners, the moment was far from routine.
The turn-out and celebratory atmosphere suggests the leadership race is over before it even began.
About 200 Labour MPs greeted Burnham, including many senior members of Starmer’s government.
Included in the picture were chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves and chief whip Jonathan Reynolds, as well as minister for the cabinet office Nick Thomas-Symonds.
As Burnham took his phone out for a selfie with the crowd, many strained to fit into the screen.
Here’s Keir Starmer’s resignation speech and Mark Paul’s take on it.
Streeting denies being offered job in Burnham cabinet
Britain’s former health minister Wes Streeting told the BBC that Andy Burnham, who is frontrunner to become the country’s next prime minister, had not offered him the finance minister role or any other job in a future cabinet.
Streeting, asked by a BBC reporter if Burnham had offered him the position of finance minister, said: “He has not offered me any jobs. That’s not what our conversations have been about.”
Starmer is now ‘essentially a broken man’
The amped-up strains of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy wailed in from a protester’s speaker outside the security gates, but a few yards farther up Downing Street, Keir Starmer was fighting back tears, writes our London correspondent Mark Paul.
Had he displayed this kind of emotional intensity earlier while in the job, perhaps Starmer wouldn’t have been standing at a lectern outside Number 10 on Monday morning announcing his resignation as UK prime minister.
But there he was, the former human rights lawyer who was routinely written off as the wooden man of British politics, trying hard to conceal the fact he was now essentially a broken man. He almost succeeded in this endeavour, but Starmer’s emotions came gushing out when he mentioned his wife Victoria and their two children.
His voice broke as he strained to maintain his dignity. For those of us standing there just a few feet away, watching yet another UK prime minister’s political career end in brutal failure, it was hard not to feel sorry for the man whose critics even say he is decent.
You can read Mark’s full article here.
Burnham arrives in London to take seat in Westminster
Not since Imperial Germany put Vladimir Lenin on a train to destabilise the Kerensky Government in February 1917, has a train journey being freighted with such significance.
Sky News, never known for understatement, sent a helicopter to monitor the Avanti train which left Manchester Piccadilly Station and pulled into Euston Station 20 minutes late at just after 2pm.
He was met by a gaggle of reporters and confirmed that he will not be calling a snap general election if he is elected as prime minister.
Ostensibly, he arrived in London to be sworn in as MP for Makerfield, a by-election which he won last week, but everyone knows he is preparing to become prime minister in about a month.
EU mulls delaying UK summit
The European Union is reassessing whether to hold a summit with Britain as planned on July 22nd after Keir Starmer said he would resign, a European Commission spokesperson said on Monday.
“Our relations with the UK are and will remain strong,” the spokesperson said.
“On the question of the EU-UK summit, against the announcement this morning of the resignation of prime minister Starmer, we are reassessing with [European Council] president Costa and the UK the opportunity of still holding the summit as had been announced last week,” the spokesperson said.
It is likely that, if Burnham takes over from Starmer, he will only be in office four days before the summer.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen earlier praised Starmer.
“It can take many leaders years to grow into the statesman you became in just two years,” she said in a post on X.
“European and Ukrainian security is stronger because of you.”
Taoiseach praises Starmer as a person of ‘great ability, decency and honour’
Taoiseach Micheal Martin said that he wanted to acknowledge the significant role played by Keir Starmer “in resetting the Irish-British relationship as well as relations between the UK and the European Union” in a statement reacting to Starmer’s resignation this morning.
“Since Keir took office two years ago, he has worked with us to set a new direction and depth in the relationship between Ireland and the UK, for the benefit of all our citizens, north-south and east-west,” the Taoiseach said.
“Our two Governments also took an important step forward in dealing with the legacy of the past in Northern Ireland publishing a Joint Framework on addressing the legacy of the Troubles.”
He described Starmer as “a person of great ability, decency and honour”. Martin defended Starmer earlier this year during an Oval Office meeting with US president Donald Trump, after Trump criticised the British prime minister.
Martin said that he had “no doubt that his successor as prime minister will wish to continue to deepen and strengthen the relationship between the UK and Ireland, and we will continue to work in furtherance of that objective.”
Scottish first minister says new Labour PM must ‘face reality’
Keir Starmer made the “right decision” to quit, Scotland’s first mninister John Swinney said, insisting it was “past time” for the Labour leader to “face reality”.
With Starmer now departing Downing Street – becoming the sixth prime minister in 10 years to do so – Swinney said there was now “some hope that things can change”.
But he insisted that rather than simply a change of personnel – with Andy Burnham now the most likely candidate to become the next incumbent at Number 10 – what is needed is a “fundamental change of direction”.
“Labour’s time in power has been characterised by broken promises, poor judgment and, ultimately, failure,” Swinney said.
“Instead of supporting those who are struggling to pay their bills and put food on the table, the Labour Party has continued the instability and infighting for which Westminster is known, and there seems to be no end in sight.”
Swinney said “people will rightly be frustrated and embarrassed that the UK’s sixth prime minister in 10 years once again failed to get to grips with the challenges facing this country”, adding there was “no reason to believe the seventh will be any different”.
DUP leader criticises Starmer legacy
Keir Starmer is “leaving behind a record of unfulfilled promises” in terms of Northern Ireland, DUP leader Gavin Robinson has said.
“He failed to deal with the root cause of the problems created by the [Northern Ireland] Protocol and Windsor Framework, namely restoring Northern Ireland’s full place within the United Kingdom and ending the application of EU laws over part of our country,” he said.
“His government also failed to secure our borders at a time of growing public concern about illegal migration.
“Whoever succeeds Sir Keir Starmer must fund Northern Ireland properly, back those who work, restore confidence in our borders and deliver policies that strengthen the United Kingdom rather than weaken it.”
On a personal level, Robinson said he wished Starmer and his family well.
“I met Sir Keir on many occasions and always found him courteous and professional in our dealings. While we often disagreed, those disagreements were about policy rather than personality,” he added.
Did Streeting co-ordinate endorsement with Burnham?
Mark Paul writes: In the last few minutes it has emerged that Wes Streeting, the former health secretary, and Burnham have seemingly done a deal that could see the former Greater Manchester mayor installed in Downing Street by July 17th.
Burnham announced on his page on the social media platform X that he would take part in the Labour leadership process, for which nominations open on July 9th. Minutes later, in what appeared to be a co-ordinated post, Streeting announced on X that “after speaking at length with Andy in recent days” he was backing Burnham.
He is seen as likely to get one of the UK’s four big offices as state as a reward for joining forces with Burnham. With Shabana Mahmood expected to stay as home secretary and Burnham aiming to be prime minister, that suggests Streeting is likely to have negotiated one of the remaining two, foreign secretary or chancellor.
It is also possible, of course, that he hasn’t been offered any role at all and simply accepted that he wouldn’t beat Burnham.
Streeting was seen as Burnham’s only real semi-credible rival for the leadership. Barring the shock entry of another candidate into the race, that means Burnham could be elected Labour leader unopposed when nominations close on July 17th, when parliament goes into recess.
By mid-July, it seems, the so-called “King of the North” Burnham is likely to be on his way to Buckingham Palace to meet the real king, Charles III, to ask him for permission to form a government.
Streeting endorsement paves the way for Burnham coronation
Wes Streeting has said he will not contest the Labour leadership against Andy Burnham.
Instead, Streeting, the former UK health secretary who triggered the leadership crisis by resigning from government, said he will support Burnham in any electoral contest.
This is likely to accelerate Burnham’s elevation to the highest post in British politics.
Had there been a contest, it could have gone into September. It’s more than likely Burnham will be prime minister by the middle of next month.
Streeting said Burnham’s comprehensive victory in the Makerfield by-election has “proven that Labour can still win if we have the courage to change. It was a victory for unity and hope over division and hatred.”
He added: “It was also Andy Burnham’s victory. Andy has shown what Labour can be when we are inclusive, united, and in touch with the lives of the people this party was founded to represent.
“I left the government because we were losing the fight to nationalists in every corner of the country. I have spent the weeks since speaking to our former councillors, activists and voters in place we lost - to listen and learn from them.
“Having spoken at length with Andy in recent days, I’m convinced that there is a place for those ideas under his leadership; that he is committed to building an inclusive party that draws on the best of our political traditions; and that he can win the fight of our lives against the forces of nationalism.
“We could spend the summer exaggerating small differences, or we can roll up our sleeves and help him to deliver the change our party and our country needs. That is the choice that I am making and I hope that everyone else will back Andy, too.
Michelle O’Neill reacts to Starmer resignation
Northern Ireland’s Sinn Féin First Minister Michelle O’Neill has said she is “ready to work constructively” with the next prime minister.
However, she reiterated her view that the North’s future is “better served by breaking our links with Britain”.
“Successive British governments have cut our public services and weakened our economy, leaving ordinary people struggling to make ends meet while a small elite grows ever wealthier,” she said on X.
“I stand ready to work constructively with the incoming British prime minister, but I will be clear that a hugely different approach is needed.
“People here are not second-class citizens.
“They deserve proper and fair investment in our public services, real support through the cost-of-living crisis, and respect for our democratic right decide our own future.”
Seven PMs in 10 years. Is Britain ungovernable?
Tomorrow marks the 10th anniversary of Brexit. In that timeframe the UK will have had seven prime ministers in a decade.
David Cameron resigned after the Brexit vote and was replaced by Theresa May on July 13th, 2016. She lasted just over three years before being replaced by Boris Johnson on July 24th, 2019.
He won a thumping parliamentary major in 2019, but was brought down by sleaze and scandal, resigning after three years and 45 days on September 6th, 2022.
Then came the most notorious premiership of recent years. Liz Truss lasted just 49 days before resigning following a disastrous mini-budget that spooked the markets.
She was replaced by Rishi Sunak who lasted one year and 255 days in office before being ousted following the Labour victory in the 2024 British general election.
Keir Starmer’s landslide victory in that election, albeit with less than a third of the popular vote, did not save him from a similar fate and he resigns too after less than two years in office.
The next British prime minister, most likely Andy Burnham, will be the seventh since Brexit. British politics used to be renowned for the stability and the relative longevity of its politicians, both Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair spent more than 10 years in office each, but all has changed.
Is the UK becoming ungovernable? Is there anybody who can stop the merry-go-round of British prime ministers? Burnham will hope to buck the trend, but the odds are not good.
Australian PM pays tribute to Starmer
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese - who leads the Labor Party in Australia - has paid tribute to Keir Starmer, saying he should “be proud of the contribution he has made to the country he loves and to the [UK] Labour Party that he led back to Government in 2024″.
In a social media post, Albanese added: “Serving in public life is a tremendous privilege but politics can also be a harsh business.”
An emotional Starmer accompanied by Ode to Joy
There was consternation on Downing Street when Starmer walked out through the black door of Number 10 to give his resignation speech, Mark Paul reports.
Not because he was about to quit - we all knew that was coming - but because anti-Brexit protestor Steve Bray turned up the volume on his speakers to blast Beethoven’s Ode to Joy, which almost drowned out the UK prime minister for those present on the street.
Speaking at the lectern just feet away from the assembled journalists, Starmer was deeply emotional as he announced he was quitting. His voice broke when he mentioned his wife and his children.
He said he would stay in place until September at the latest, although if, as expected, there is no contest and Burnham is appointed prime minister in a coronation, Starmer would leave by the summer recess in July.
He will definitely still be in situ for the Nato summit on July 7th and 8th, but unless someone else challenges Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester may be the UK’s new prime minister by the time of the EU-UK summit on July 22nd.
Nigel Farage demands election
Reform is calling for a general election, its leader Nigel Farage said in the wake of Keir Starmer’s resignation announcement.
That’s unlikely to happen, however.
Andy Burnham, Starmer’s likely successor, has said he will not call an election if he gets the top job. Labour still has three years of its five-year term to complete.
Burnham could become prime minister next month
Andy Burnham could become British prime minister in mid-July.
Keir Starmer said Labour’s governing body - the national executive committee (NEC) - will open nominations for his successor on July 9th and that the process will be concluded by the summer recess which is expected on July 16th.
Two members of NEC confirmed to The Guardian that Burnham could be prime minister by the following day - July 17th - though it could be the following Monday when parliament is in recess.
If Wes Streeting challenges Burnham, the contest could run until September.
At the end of his speech, Starmer thanked his colleagues and family for their support.
Becoming emotional, he said after “leaving the biggest job in the country”, he will “spend more time on the most important job: being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife, Vic - who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad - and being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and my joy”.
Starmer may remain in post until September
Starmer said he might remain in post until September.
Wes Streeting may mount a challenge against frontrunner Andy Burnham, but there is mounting speculation it will be a one-horse race and the latter will succeed Starmer without an election contest.
If Burnham is the only candidate, he could take over in July.
“I will remain in post as prime minister until the contest is complete, and I will do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power,” Starmer said.
“I will also give my successor my full and unequivocal support, knowing that they will inherit a Britain that is far stronger and fairer than the one I inherited two years ago, better prepared for the challenges ahead and better able to ensure the Labour Party secures a second term in office.”
Starmer ‘not the best person to lead Labour forward’
Starmer said, of late, the Labour Party has been asking if he is “best placed to lead us into the next general election”.
“I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.
“Every decision I’ve taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party.
“I have spoken to his majesty the king this morning to inform him of my decision.”
Starmer says 2024 Labour victory was ‘proudest moment of my life’
In his speech, Starmer spoke about Labour’s resounding election win in July 2024.
“Walking up this street two years ago was the proudest moment of my life. A new Labour government, the first in 14 years, a page in our country’s history turned after years of disappointment and despair. The chance to change the lives of millions of people for the better,” he said.
“The journey to that point was not easy. Six years ago, I inherited a Labour Party that was politically, financially and morally bankrupt. I was told time and time again that my party was finished, that we were consigned to history, that a majority at the general election, let alone a landslide majority, was impossible, but we proved those people wrong.”
Starmer said, in the last two years, Labour had reduced NHS waiting lists, restored trust in the economy, defence and national security, and become a party “that once again stood proudly with, not against, our national flag”.
While delivering his speech, an anti-Brexit protester blasted Beethoven’s Ode to Joy from a loudspeaker in the background.
Starmer resigns
Keir Starmer has announced that he plans to step down as leader of the Labour Party, paving the way for a new British prime minister.
Nominations for a new leader will open on July 9th.
“In the case of a contest, this will ensure a new leader is in place before parliament returns in September,” Starmer said.
Most of the cabinet have now assembled on Downing Street, Mark Paul reports.
They are outside the door of Number 11 - an indicator that the prime minister will walk out at any minute to make an announcement. It seems like the end is nigh.
There is a frisson now among the press pack and UK government press handlers on Downing Street, which may be indicative that something may happen shortly, Mark Paul reports.
Some of the prime minister’s officials are out marshalling the broadcast press while there is a flurry of activity among the sound and visual engineers.
Keir Starmer, it seems, is now close to making the announcement that everyone expects: that he is resigning as prime minister and setting out a timetable for his exit.
We will keep you updated from Downing Street as this happens.
Varadkar says it’s ‘a shame’ Starmer didn’t get more time
Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said he feels sorry for Starmer, if his time as prime minister is indeed up.
“If the reports are true, and prime minister Starmer is going to resign, I think that’s something very sad,” Varadkar told Sky News on Monday.
Varadkar said, since gaining power two years ago, Starmer was “very successful at resetting” Britain’s relationship with the EU after “difficult” Brexit negotiations and “disagreements around Northern Ireland”.
He said it was “a shame” Starmer didn’t get more time in office.
Will there be a leadership race?
One obvious uncertainty in relation to future leader of the Labour Party is whether Burnham will be the only candidate or if other challengers will emerge and gain the necessary support, Mark Paul and Jack Horgan-Jones report.
Wes Streeting, who resigned as health secretary last month amid efforts to push Starmer to quit, said last week he would stand in any contest and had the necessary backing of 81 MPs to do so, with allies saying over the weekend that this was still the plan.
Some MPs say they would welcome a contest to allow Burnham’s platform to be tested.
There is, however, an increasing presumption that Streeting will not compete, either because he does not have the MPs needed or because he would almost certainly lose a vote of Labour MPs and would be wary of derailing preparations for the next government.
Announcement could be imminent
More from Mark Paul on Downing Street: Officially Downing Street is confirming nothing, but sources inside the building are also not dissuading the hordes of press outside from the belief that an announcement may be relatively imminent.
Another sign that something big is happening is that the heavily armed Downing Street security services have set up a marquee just inside the entrance for arriving press to be searched, instead of their usual little hut.
The sun is out, a heatwave is on the way in London, and the temperature is also rising in Whitehall for what promises to be another dramatic day in UK politics.
Larry the cat has also been spotted outside Number 10. Larry, who has already worked alongside six prime ministers, is expected to keep his role in the cabinet reshuffle.
No sign of the famous lectern yet
Our London Correspondent Mark Paul has the latest from Downing Street: There is no sign yet of the famous lectern being pulled outside the door of Number 10, but there is an expectation among the gathered press pack that today is the day,.
UK prime minister Keir Starmer is believed to be about to resign, possibly this morning but certainly today before his internal rival Andy Burnham is sworn in as an MP. Starmer spent the weekend holed up at his Chequers with his wife Victoria, contemplating his future after Burnham’s thumping victory last Friday morning in the Makerfield by-election.
It is believed the prime minister has accepted his fate, and may lay out a timetable for his exit this morning. In another grand British political tradition, there is a heckler for the resigning prime minister at the gates of Downing Street.
A supporter of hard right party Restore Britain is being loquacious with a loudhailer, urging Starmer to quit. He may get his wish.
Starmer expected to announce exit plan
Embattled British prime minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce a timetable for his departure imminently, putting the UK on course for its seventh premier in a decade.
It is understood Starmer will set out his intentions outside 10 Downing Street on Monday morning.
The move would clear the way for Andy Burnham to become prime minister by the autumn.
The expected announcement follows a thumping victory by Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, in last week’s Makerfield byelection, near Wigan. Burnham, who will returned to the House of Commons after nine years in the regional role, said his defeat of Reform UK in the contest represented the “last chance” for Labour to seize the moment for change.
