Sir Keir Starmer was visibly upset as he announced his resignation as Prime Minister, paying an emotional tribute to his wife and children. His voice wavered as he concluded the speech setting out an end point for his time in No 10 Downing Street, following months of pressure to stand down and make way for a new Labour leader.
Emotional Tribute to Family
Sir Keir’s voice broke as he said: “When I leave the biggest job in the country, I shall 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.” He described his wife Lady Victoria Starmer as his ‘rock’.
Background to Resignation
The emotional statement followed a weekend spent mulling his future with his family at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country residence. Sir Keir has faced growing calls to stand aside since Labour’s poor showing in May’s local and devolved elections. A growing number of Labour MPs were losing confidence in his ability to lead after a series of widely viewed policy mistakes, and because they believed he could not meet the challenge from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK at the next election.
Succession Contest
Labour former minister Andy Burnham, who returns to Parliament on Monday after winning the crucial Makerfield by-election, and ex-health secretary Wes Streeting, have both said they will stand in a contest to succeed Sir Keir, should one be held. The Prime Minister and his wife embraced following the speech.
