The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, announced on Monday that he would be stepping down from his role as the Labour Party leader.
Starmer is the UK’s seventh PM in 10 years. His resignation comes just less than two years after the Labour Party’s historic election victory.
According to reports, Starmer’s departure stems from pressure within his party, including MPs and cabinet ministers.
In a statement outside 10 Downing Street, the PM said his party has been asking whether he’s “best placed to lead us into the next general election”, adding: “I have heard the answer”
“I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace. Every decision I have taken has been about putting the country I love first, that is why I will resign as leader of the Labour party,” he is quoted by the Guardian to have said.
What Happens Now?
Starmer says he’ll remain at post until Labour chooses a new leader in September. It’s rumored that the party could select Andy Burnham, an experienced politician who’s been a lawmaker for a decade and a half. Burnham previously lost two bids for the Labour Party’s leadership.