UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Resigns After Less Than Two Years in Office

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigned on June 22, 2026, after less than two years in office, following heavy losses for Labour in local elections and a mutiny within his party. His departure, coming on the 10th anniversary of the Brexit vote, marks the seventh change of prime minister since the 2016 referendum and deepens the ongoing political turmoil in Britain.

Quick Facts

Starmer resigned as prime minister
Labour suffered heavy losses in local elections
Leadership contest triggered
Andy Burnham emerged as front-runner
Seventh prime minister in 10 years

LONDON (AP) — Keir Starmer announced his resignation as prime minister on Monday, June 22, 2026, less than two years after leading the Labour Party to a landslide victory in July 2024. His departure sets in motion a process that will result in the United Kingdom's seventh prime minister in a decade, underscoring the enduring political instability that has followed the 2016 Brexit referendum.

Starmer's resignation came after a rapid decline in public and party support, triggered by a sluggish economy, a series of policy missteps, and heavy losses for Labour in local elections this spring. The final blow was a rebellion within his own party, fueled by widespread dissatisfaction with his leadership and a controversial appointment that further eroded his credibility.

In his resignation statement, Starmer acknowledged the message from his parliamentary party, saying, "I have heard the answer of my Parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace." He added, "Every decision I have taken has been about putting the country I love first." Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy praised Starmer for putting the country first and ensuring an orderly transition.

The front-runner to succeed Starmer is Andy Burnham, a prominent Labour figure known as the "King of the North." Burnham made a symbolic journey from Manchester to Westminster and has already garnered support from around 200 Labour MPs, suggesting that a contest may be avoided.

Starmer's brief tenure was marked by economic challenges. His government inherited a fragile economy battered by the COVID-19 pandemic and the fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Efforts to stabilize public finances, including raising employer payroll taxes, proved unpopular and were blamed for dampening hiring. A series of U-turns on key policies—such as winter fuel subsidies for pensioners, welfare cuts, and a controversial agricultural inheritance tax—damaged his reputation for decisive leadership.

The 10th anniversary of the Brexit vote this week has cast a long shadow over Starmer's resignation. Since the 2016 referendum, British politics has been characterized by revolving-door leadership and deep divisions over the country's relationship with Europe. Starmer's departure marks the latest chapter in this ongoing saga, with Brexit remaining unfinished business and the country's political parties still fractured.

As the UK prepares for its seventh prime minister in a decade, the European Union has taken note. Michel Barnier, the EU's former chief Brexit negotiator, said Brussels "sincerely welcomes" any British request for closer ties but warned that the EU cannot compromise its single market. Meanwhile, Eurosceptic parties across Europe are gaining ground, adding to the uncertainty about the UK's future relationship with the bloc.

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Politics World

#economic stagnation #European Union #Labour Party #Brexit #Andy Burnham #resignation #Prime Minister resignation #Keir Starmer #UK politics #political instability

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Why This Matters

The resignation of Keir Starmer, the UK's seventh prime minister since the 2016 Brexit vote, signals ongoing political instability and uncertainty about the country's future direction. For businesses and investors, this means potential shifts in economic policy, tax reforms, and the UK's relationship with the European Union. Readers should monitor the upcoming leadership contest and its impact on inflation, trade deals, and immigration policies. If you are involved in UK markets or cross-border trade, prepare for volatility and reassess risk exposure.

Timeline & Sources

Jun 23, 2016

Wire

UK votes to leave the EU (Brexit referendum)

Jan 31, 2020

Wire

UK formally leaves the EU

Jun 22, 2026

Wire

Keir Starmer announces resignation as Prime Minister

Jun 23, 2026

Wire

10th anniversary of Brexit vote