Starmer quits as Labour leader and paves way for contest for new prime minister
BBC News 2026-06-22 22:26:12
Context: Sir Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as Labour Party leader and prime minister, paving the way for a leadership contest to determine his successor. He revealed his decision in Downing Street, stating that he had concluded he was not the best person to lead Labour into the next general election. This move sets the stage for a new prime minister to take over, with Andy Burnham emerging as a frontrunner after securing backing from former Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
Key Facts
- Sir Keir Starmer resigned as Labour Party leader and prime minister, informing the King of his decision and requesting a timetable for his replacement, with nominations set to open on 9 July and close by the summer recess on 16 July.
- He will remain as prime minister until the leadership contest is complete and has pledged to ensure an "orderly" transition of power, offering his full support to his successor.
- Andy Burnham, the former Greater Manchester mayor, has announced his candidacy for the leadership contest and is considered a frontrunner after securing the backing of Wes Streeting, who had previously been viewed as a potential rival.
- Sir Keir Starmer was elected Labour Party leader in April 2020 and became prime minister on 5 July 2024 following Labour's landslide general election victory, but will leave Downing Street as the shortest-serving Labour prime minister in history.
- Burnham is expected to focus on growing the economy and sticking to the government's fiscal rules if he becomes prime minister, and has yet to decide on who would be his chancellor, with no jobs or deals having been made so far.