Sir Keir Starmer resigned as prime minister on July 20, 2026, after 745 days in office, making way for Andy Burnham, who has promised a "reset of priorities." Starmer won a landslide victory for Labour in the 2024 general election, securing more than 400 parliamentary seats and a 174-seat majority, but his premiership ended after just two years.
Why Starmer Resigned
Starmer entered Downing Street on July 5, 2024, promising hope after 14 years of Conservative rule. However, his tenure was marked by criticism over a lack of action, high-profile policy U-turns on welfare reform and digital IDs, and a perception of indecision. Calls for him to step aside grew after poor local election results in May 2026, with more than 60 backbench MPs calling for his resignation. Wes Streeting became the first Cabinet member to quit, stating in his resignation letter that "it is now clear that you will not lead the Labour Party into the next general election."
Andy Burnham's Return
Speculation about a leadership challenge intensified after Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election, securing his return to Parliament. Several Labour figures publicly backed him. Former home secretary Alan Johnson told LBC: "He’s a bright guy. He knows it’s over. He will forever be in the history books as the man who turned us around, Labour, from the second-worst result in our history to the second best result in our history in one five-year period." Labour peer Charlie Falconer said Starmer had been left with "absolutely no authority" because it was assumed that Burnham would challenge him and win.
Starmer's Resignation and Farewell
Starmer resigned on June 22, 2026, three days after Burnham's by-election win. In his resignation speech, he said: "I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace." He defended his record, pledging to give his successor "my full and unequivocal support, knowing that they will inherit a Britain that is far stronger and fairer than the one I inherited two years ago." In his final speech on July 20, he said "my work is done" and "I go with a smile," adding: "In six and a half years, I took our party from a historic defeat in 2019, changed it so it was fit to face the country and won a landslide general election victory in 2024."
What's Next for Starmer
Starmer is expected to remain on the backbenches for the rest of Parliament. There was speculation he could be offered an international role, such as foreign secretary, but No 10 played down the prospect, indicating he would stay as an MP on the back benches. His political spokesman said he told his ministers that "this is the end of my journey, but this is not the end of yours."
