UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Resigns, Andy Burnham Emerges as Frontrunner

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday, stepping down as leader of the Labour Party and paving the way for a leadership contest that will determine the country's next prime minister. Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, Starmer said he accepted that he was not the best person to lead Labour into the next general election and had informed King Charles III of his decision to step down. He will remain in office until a successor is chosen, with nominations opening on 9 July and closing by the summer recess on 16 July. A new leader is expected to be in place before Parliament returns in September.

Starmer's resignation comes just two years after he led Labour to a landslide general election victory in July 2024, ending 14 years of Conservative rule. However, his tenure has been marred by challenges including rising global energy prices, strained public finances, and a failure to connect with voters. In recent weeks, members of his own parliamentary party turned against him, questioning whether he could lead them into the next election. Starmer acknowledged their concerns, saying he had "heard the answer" and accepted it "with good grace." He will leave office as the shortest-serving Labour prime minister in history, and the UK will soon have its seventh prime minister since 2016.

Andy Burnham, the outgoing mayor of Greater Manchester, is widely regarded as the frontrunner to replace Starmer. Burnham recently won an emphatic by-election victory in the Makerfield constituency, defeating his Reform UK rival, and was formally sworn in as an MP on Monday to loud cheers from Labour benches. His bid received an immediate boost from former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who had been seen as a main rival but instead offered his backing. Burnham is viewed as more folksy and relatable to voters than Starmer, and is likely to be slightly more progressive, particularly in defending the welfare state. However, he will face many of the same challenges, including economic pressures and global energy costs.

Speaking after arriving at London's Euston station, Burnham praised Starmer's "dedication and service" but declined to discuss whether he would call a general election if he became prime minister, saying his priority was to be sworn in as an MP. He is expected to give a speech next week pledging to grow the economy while sticking to the government's fiscal rules. Allies say Burnham has not yet decided who would serve as his chancellor. Other potential leadership candidates, such as former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns, have not yet declared their intentions. Starmer, in his emotional resignation speech, thanked his wife Victoria and his children, saying he would now focus on being "the best husband" and "the best dad" he can be.