In a day of stark political contrasts, Keir Starmer announced his resignation as prime minister with 'good grace' while Andy Burnham, the 'king in the north', arrived in Westminster to cheers and selfies after being sworn in as MP for Makerfield. The events on Monday 22 June 2026 marked a dramatic shift in Labour's political landscape, less than two years after Starmer's historic election victory.
Starmer's resignation
Keir Starmer, speaking from a lectern outside Downing Street, stated that he accepts 'with good grace' that he is not the best person to lead Labour into the next election. The media assembled outside Downing Street on Monday morning as staff positioned the tell-tale lectern ahead of his widely anticipated speech setting out a timetable for his departure. Beethoven's Ode to Joy was blasted out through speakers outside the gates to Downing Street during his speech.
Deputy prime minister and justice secretary David Lammy was among those in Downing Street for the announcement. Starmer embraced his wife, Victoria, after making his resignation statement, saying 'every decision I have taken has been about putting the country I love first'.
Burnham's return to Westminster
Meanwhile, Andy Burnham arrived at Manchester Piccadilly station for a train to London, with the BBC and Sky sending news helicopters to follow his journey. Burnham's taxi left Euston station to media fanfare as he prepared to take up his seat in Westminster. He defeated Nigel Farage's Reform UK in the Makerfield byelection, a contest seen as crucial for Labour's hopes at the next general election.
Burnham was given an opportunity to return to frontline politics when Josh Simons resigned his Makerfield seat to make way for the man dubbed the 'king in the north' to run. Upon arrival at Westminster, Burnham was sworn in as MP for Makerfield, bowing his head to colleagues several times as he made his way through the Commons chamber and smiling as he was warmly greeted.
Heckling and support
Burnham was heckled during his swearing in, including by Tory MP Desmond Swayne shouting 'Rome is saved', along with shouts of 'saviour' and 'turning water into water'. Despite this, he was greeted by a slew of cabinet ministers – including the chief whip, Jonathan Reynolds, and the energy secretary, Ed Miliband – after his swearing in.
About 200 MPs were in the hall to greet Burnham, now officially the MP for Makerfield. He arrived with Lucy Powell, the deputy Labour leader, and the MP Jo Platt, who holds Burnham's old constituency of Leigh. Visitors to the Palace of Westminster were excited to see Burnham, and Labour MPs turned up en masse in Westminster Hall to pose for photos with him. The BBC estimated there were about 200 Labour MPs there – that is about half the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) – including ministers and the chief whip.
Absence of Rachel Reeves
The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, was in Westminster Hall to greet Burnham, though she was not present outside No 10 for Keir Starmer's resignation as prime minister earlier. The contrasting days of Starmer bowing out and Burnham stepping in highlight the changing dynamics within the Labour Party as it looks towards the next election.
