Two years after becoming UK's Prime Minister in landslide win, Keir Starmer has resigned

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has resigned as leader of the Labour Party.

Starmer's resignation comes after weeks of pressure from within his own party with several of his Cabinet and junior ministers stepping down.

He said he will remain as caretaker Prime Minister until a successor is chosen by the ruling Labour party.

His sudden departure marks a stunning downfall for a leader who, just 24 months ago, commanded one of the largest parliamentary majorities in modern British political history.

Context

Starmer took office in July 2024 after leading the Labour Party to a historic landslide general election victory, ending 14 years of Conservative rule.

The Labour Party captured 411 seats to secure a commanding 174-seat majority in the House of Commons – the biggest parliamentary majority since Tony Blair landslide victory in 1997.

But over the last two years, Starmer's popularity collapsed due to public anger over severe cost-of-living struggles, and deep voter frustration over a perceived lack of clear economic vision.

Successor

While Starmer said the process of choosing a successor would begin in July, recent election results appear to indicate who might replace the outgoing Prime Minister.

Andy Burnham, a prominent Labour politician who previously served in several senior Cabinet and opposition roles – including Health Secretary – before spending nearly a decade as the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has been touted as the leading candidate to replace Starmer.

His claim was strengthened by his by-election victory in the Makerfield constituency of Greater Manchester last week, defeating Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party that has gained significant popularity in the United Kingdom.

Standing on a platform to "change Labour to change the country," Burnham effectively leveraged his decisive Westminster return to launch a formidable leadership challenge that forced the Prime Minister's hand.