UK's Starmer to resign after Labour support drains away

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation, paving the way for an expected leadership contest and potential succession by frontrunner Andy Burnham.

Prime Minister Keir ‌Starmer said on ​Monday he would quit, paving the way for what is expected to be an orderly transfer of power to frontrunner Andy Burnham, who could soon become Britain's seventh leader in 10 years. In an emotional speech, Starmer said he had listened to his governing Labour Party and realised that he was no longer the man who should lead it into a national election due ‌in 2029. His announcement, made on the steps of his Downing Street office and London residence, could trigger another leadership contest or, for many in the party, lead to the preferred option of a seamless coronation of former Greater Manchester mayor, Burnham. Burnham, a 56-year-old career politician, was quick to say on X he would put himself forward in any leadership contest, receiving the support of former health minister Wes Streeting, who had been seen as a potential rival in any race. POLITICAL CHURN IN BRITAIN By installing Britain's seventh prime minister since the ‌Brexit vote to leave the European Union 10 years ago, the Labour government is the latest to fall foul of voter anger over politicians' failure to deliver on their promises of change. Starmer said he would ask the Labour Party's organising committee to ‌set out a timeline for a leadership contest to find his replacement. Nominations would open on July 9, close by mid-July, and if there is a contest, a new leader will be in place by September. A coronation could mean a new leader would enter office by mid-July.

"The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election. I have heard the answer from my parliamentary party to that question and I accept that answer with good grace," he said. After describing the achievements his government had secured in his two years of power, a man who was ⁠often criticised for being ​robotic, became visibly emotional, his voice cracking when he thanked his family ⁠for their support.

"When I leave the biggest job in the country I 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." PRESSURE HAD BEEN BUILDING FOR MONTHS Starmer spent the weekend with his wife, Victoria, at his country residence to consider his future. With support draining away, he realised the political reality of his position. The threat to Starmer, which had been ​building for months, increased sharply on Friday when Burnham decisively won a parliamentary election to return to Westminster, beating a candidate from Nigel Farage's Reform UK party, which has led opinion polls for more than a year.

That victory gave hope ⁠to Labour lawmakers that Burnham, known for his strong communication skills, could transform the fortunes of a party that has lost support under Starmer. The pound rose against other currencies and British government bonds rallied after Streeting's announcement, as investors welcomed a more certain path to Burnham's premiership. Despite hoping for a smooth handover, the change is ⁠not without ​risk. If other candidates decide to enter any leadership race, the party could end up with a divisive contest that could paralyse government, although Streeting's move appeared to reduce the likelihood of that and suggested to some Labour lawmakers that the former health minister had been offered a job by Burnham. Burnham, who is expected to arrive in London on Monday to take up his newly won seat for the northwestern English area of Makerfield, has yet to flesh out a full policy agenda and Reform's Farage immediately called ⁠for a national election. "I've had enough of waiting around. Britain needs change - real change, not another washed-up has-been shoved into place by the uniparty," Farage said in a statement.

NO CLEAR APPROACH YET Beyond saying that the country needs fundamental change and ⁠that he wants to bring down the cost of living, Burnham has ⁠yet to make clear his approach to foreign affairs, the economy and defence. Like Starmer, he could find he has little room to manoeuvre, hemmed in by bond market investors opposed to any additional borrowing, and confronted by an angry electorate which believes the country is not working properly. Britain already has the highest borrowing costs in the Group of Seven wealthy nations due to its high debt ‌and interest payments, years of anaemic economic growth, ‌its struggles to cut spending and the need to invest in areas like defence. (additional reporting by Andrew MacAskill, Alistair Smout, David Milliken, ​Sam Tabahriti, William James; editing by Barbara Lewis and Sharon Singleton)