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Keir Starmer announces his resignation as British prime minister and leader of the Labour Party in an address to the nation outside 10 Downing Street, London. He will remain as car
Confirmed
In Short: Keir Starmer announces his resignation as Labour leader and prime minister, stepping aside until a successor is chosen. He will remain in post until then.
Keir Starmer has resigned as the leader of the Labour Party and British prime minister, making a statement outside 10 Downing Street in London. He will continue to serve until his successor is in place, with the Labour national executive committee set to open nominations on July 9.
Wes Streeting, another Labour politician, has pledged his support to Andy Burnham, the frontrunner for the Labour leadership. Streeting emphasized Burnham's ability to win the fight against the anti-immigration Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage, which has gained significant support since the July 2024 general election.
Burnham is seen as the best candidate to defeat the Reform Party at the next election, according to Olivia O’Sullivan from the UK in the World Program at the Chatham House think tank. He appeals to Labour lawmakers who were frustrated with Starmer's governance and is expected to offer a clearer vision to connect with voters in areas at risk of turning to the Reform Party.
Starmer expressed gratitude to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for his support, while Nigel Farage criticized Labour for betraying voters' trust due to unpopular policies and illegal immigration issues. Despite these challenges, Starmer's resignation marks the beginning of a new leadership race within the Labour Party.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- Earlier Monday, Wes Streeting, another prominent Labour politician with ambitions for the top job, said he would back Burnham.
- Starmer said he would stay in post as prime minister until his successor is in place and that Labour’s national executive committee will open nominations on July 9.
- Streeting said he would back Burnham for the Labour leadership, saying “he can win the fight of our lives against the forces of nationalism,” a reference to the anti-immigration Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage,…
- Burnham is the frontrunner to succeed Starmer because many people see him as the best person to defeat the anti-immigrant Reform Party at the next election, said Olivia O’Sullivan, the director of the UK in the World…
- Burnham’s greatest asset is that he appeals to Labour Party lawmakers who were frustrated by the way Starmer has governed, O’Sullivan said.
- The hope is that he will set out a “clearer vision” and connect with voters in parts of the country that are in danger of turning to the Reform Party, she said.
- “Keir, thank you for all our cooperation, your support, and the joint decisions that have helped make our Europe and our protection of life stronger,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on X.
- “If Labour thinks it can shove another professional politician into No 10, it has another thing coming,” he said.