Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation as Prime Minister less than two years after winning a landslide general election victory. After a weekend considering his position, he addressed the nation from Downing Street to lay out a departure timetable, becoming the shortest serving Labour Prime Minister.
Looking drained and exhausted, Sir Keir said: “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 of my parliamentary party to that question and I accept that answer with good grace.” He added: “Every decision I have taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party.” He also confirmed he had spoken to His Majesty the King to inform him of his decision.
Departure Timetable and Succession
Sir Keir has asked Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee to set out a timetable with nominations opening on July 9 and to be completed by the summer recess. He would stay on as Prime Minister until a successor is chosen.
The Prime Minister stood aside as Andy Burnham headed to Parliament with a surge of support from Labour MPs, including many in London, for him to take over as Prime Minister. London MPs backing Mr Burnham include former shadow Chancellor John McDonnell (Hayes and Hillingdon), Dawn Butler (Brent East), Barry Gardiner (Brent North), and Liam Conlon (Beckenham and Penge).
Burnham's Path to Number 10
Sir Keir’s future had looked increasingly untenable ever since Mr Burnham won a decisive victory at the Makerfield by-election last week. There will now be huge expectation in Labour ranks for former Cabinet minister Mr Burnham to deliver change in Government and in the country to stop Nigel Farage becoming Prime Minister.
Sir Keir had vowed to fight any leadership contest, and No10 was sticking to this line as late as Monday morning. But with his authority draining away, it was clear he would have lost heavily in any showdown against Mr Burnham, with Labour MPs rallying around the “King of the North” who has made his name as Mayor of Greater Manchester. If he had sought to fight on, Sir Keir would have faced the threat of a series of Cabinet resignations.
Cabinet Pressure and Resignations
At least four Cabinet ministers were reported to have already urged Sir Keir to set out a No10 “exit plan,” including Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, and Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander. More than 100 Labour MPs, including several in London, had publicly called for Sir Keir to step down.
Mr Burnham now faces the task of building a Government with divisions already emerging, including over who should be Chancellor, replacing Rachel Reeves. Ex-Cabinet minister Wes Streeting and Mr Miliband are seen as the frontrunners. Sir Keir could stay on for a number of weeks, possibly until the Commons rises in mid-July, or maybe longer. But Mr Burnham is expected to want to be Prime Minister in time for Labour’s annual conference in Liverpool at the end of September.
Potential Leadership Contest
However, a number of Labour MPs believe there should be a contest for the Labour leadership, and to be PM, rather than a “coronation” for Mr Burnham. It was not yet clear if Ilford North MP Mr Streeting, who resigned as Health Secretary with withering criticism of Sir Keir’s government, will challenge Mr Burnham in a contest.
