Updated ,first published
London: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as leader of the Labor party so that the party can choose his replacement by September, setting in motion a major move to stop his main rival, Andy Burnham, as the country’s seventh leader in more than a decade.
Less than two years after winning a landslide election victory that promised to end the chaos in British politics, Starmer admitted his party wanted him to go and said the nomination of his successor would open in two weeks, without naming Burnham as his replacement.
Burnham, a former mayor of Greater Manchester, moved within hours to confirm he would run. A minute later, leading candidate for leadership Wes Streetingthe former health secretary, withdrew from the race and backed the front-runner.
Lightning is advancing Burnham as the prime ministerial prospect because no other challenger has emerged, and any candidate would have to win the support of at least 81 Labor MPs to force a run.
Burnham, health minister at Westminster before leaving parliament almost a decade ago, is expected to be re-sworn as an MP on Monday after to win the by-election for the northern seat of Makerfield last week.
Starmer’s decision to resign comes after at least a year of dissatisfaction within the Labor party due to his performance and months of rumors about potential rivals, which led the prime minister to plan a timetable that will keep him in power as the party prepares to find a new leader.
With many Labor MPs backing Burnham, Starmer was faced with the decision of running for the leadership or announcing his departure. After pondering his political future in his country retreat, Checkers, over the weekend, finally announced his resignation on Monday morning (London time) in front of dozens of television cameras in Downing Street.
“The question my party is asking now is whether I have a good chance of leading us in the next general election. I have heard my parliamentary party’s answer to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace,” an emotional Starmer said.
“Every decision I have taken has been to prioritize the country I love.
“That is why I will resign as leader of the Labor Party.”
Starmer said he had informed King Charles of his decision and would do everything he could to ensure an orderly handover, adding that he would give his successor his “full and unequivocal support”.
The timetable means that the Labor Party’s central committee will open the leadership selection on July 9 and give people until July 16 to move forward. This will allow a new leader to be in place when parliament returns from summer break on September 1 and in time for Labour’s annual conference in the week of September 28.
If another contender emerges, however, the choice of leader will be made by thousands of Labor members in a vote that would take weeks, potentially defying the timetable.
Starmer’s announcement came as no surprise Monday in London, given that there had been days of speculation about his departure and reports Sunday night that he would be leaving.
His government suffered backbench rebellion on welfare and usage policies, a tax scandal claimed deputy prime minister Angela Raynerand Starmer’s judgment was questioned about it the appointment of Peter Mandelsona friend of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as the British ambassador to the United States.
Last month, the Labor party lost hundreds of councilors in local government elections, raising serious doubts about the party’s fortunes.
The threat to Starmer increased significantly on Friday when Burnham he defeated the candidate from the Reform UK party of Nigel Faragewhich has led the national polls, in the race for Makerfield.
Burnham has yet to outline a full policy agenda, but confirmed he would stand as a leader in the party’s process and promised to work on challenges including economic growth.
“I will put myself forward as part of this process. The country expects stability, focus and continued focus on the most important issues, and that is what it will get,” he said.
“People want to see progress in economic growth, cost of living, public services, housing and opportunity for the next generation.”
Street planning called for a new plan from Labor to ensure Britain could grow again with what it called “progressive capitalism” which focused on wealth production as much as wealth distribution. He also called for a strong fight against “nationalist” opponents, more work on energy security and greater relations with Europe.
“After speaking at length with Andy in recent days, I am convinced that there is a place for these ideas under his leadership,” he said.
Britain’s reform leader Nigel Farage, who wants to reduce immigration and reduce welfare spending, has called for an election to let Britons have their say on who will replace Starmer.
“Britain is broken. We need an election,” he declared in a new essay set for a crisis within Labour. He added on social media: “I’ve had enough of waiting. Britain needs change – real change, not another wash that has been pushed by the main party.”
Reform led against the rest in a national YouGov poll last week, with 24 per cent of the vote compared to Labor on 19 per cent and the Conservative Party on 19 per cent. But its candidate was narrowly defeated by Burnham in the Makerfield by-election, in a key result that helped position Burnham as Labour’s best choice to beat its conservative rivals.
US President Donald Trump had fueled talk of Starmer’s resignation by announcing it would happen a day before the actual announcement, in what was seen as a breach of normal protocol between the two long-time allies.
“Keir Starmer will resign as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“He failed miserably in two very important subjects – IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (OPEN NORTH SEA OIL!). I wish him well! President DJT.”
Although Starmer has often been criticized in the media for his blunt speaking style, he was emotional when he finished his speech in Downing Street.
He thanked his wife, Victoria, and said he would focus on taking care of his family.
“To be the best husband I can, to my wonderful wife Vic, who has been a rock by my side in good times and bad,” he said of his future.
“And to be the best father I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and joy.”
Victoria Starmer, depressed and emotional, approached her husband and they hugged before returning to Number 10.
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David Crowe is the Europe correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.Connect through X or email address.
