Starmer is stepping down - what could happen next?
BBC News 2026-06-22 12:18:31
Context: Sir Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as Labour leader and UK prime minister, but will stay in the position until his successor is appointed. The move comes after mounting pressure on Starmer, including poor approval ratings and a series of damaging by-election and local election results. The Labour party will now begin the process of selecting a new leader, with Andy Burnham emerging as a frontrunner.
Key Facts
- Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation as Labour leader on Monday, stating that he will stay on as UK prime minister until his successor is in place.
- The pressure on Starmer had been building due to dire approval ratings for the party and him personally, as well as a scandal over his decision to make Peter Mandelson the US ambassador.
- Andy Burnham, the former Greater Manchester mayor, has confirmed that he will be putting himself forward as a candidate in the Labour leadership contest, and has already gained the support of former health secretary Wes Streeting.
- To be eligible to stand, a candidate must be nominated by 81 Labour MPs and win the support of at least 32 of Labour's 634 local branches or three organisations affiliated to the party.
- The new Labour leader is expected to be in place by the time Parliament returns from its summer break on 1 September, with nominations for the position set to open on 9 July and close on 16 July.