Keir Starmer to leave his job as UK prime minister

Sir Keir Starmer has announced that he is stepping down as UK prime minister and leader of the Labour Party.

Speaking outside Downing Street on Monday morning, Mr Starmer said that becoming prime minister had been the "proudest moment of my life".

He added that every decision he had made in office had been about "putting the country I love first".

A contest for a new leader of the Labour party is expected to begin next month.

The winner will then become the next prime minister because the Labour Party is the biggest political party in parliament.

Andy Burnham - who many people think could replace the Prime Minister - will be in Westminster today to be sworn in as the new MP for Makerfield after winning a by-election last week.

BBC Political Editor Chris Mason explained that Mr Starmer had been "thoughtful" and "reflective" in his speech.

"Mr Starmer said that he'd been proud to be prime minister, felt he'd done a lot for the country and done a lot to turn around the Labour Party, but that in the end, he recognised that too many people on his own side would rather have someone else."

Chris explained that being prime minister is a bit like a popularity contest.

"If you're no longer popular, then your time won't last for much longer", he added.

Mr Starmer has been leader of the Labour Party for the past six years, and prime minister since July 2024.

At the end of his speech, Mr Starmer said that after leaving the "biggest job in the country" he will spend more time on "the most important job".

"Being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife Vic," and also "the best dad that I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and joy," he said.

Chris Mason added: "You're reminded that it's a huge privilege to be prime minister but it's clearly also a huge sacrifice for people that do that job in terms of not seeing their friends and family."

Mr Starmer said he will ask the Labour Party's National Executive Committee that nominations for the party's new leader open on 9 July.

He said this will be completed before the summer break, which is a week later, on 16 July.

In the case of a leadership contest, this will mean that a new leader would be in place by the time parliament returns from its summer break on 1 September.

However, it's unclear if there will be a contest over the next Labour leader.

This is because there has only been one Labour MP so far - Andy Burnham - who has said that they will run to replace the prime minister.

Another Labour MP, who was thought to be interested in taking part in a future leadership contest - Wes Streeting - has now confirmed that he will not run.

As it stands, only Andy Burnham has put himself forward to replace Mr Starmer, Chris Mason explained:

"The key thing we're going to be watching out for is Andy Burnham, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester and the new MP for Makerfield, after winning that by-election just last week.

"This means that he returns to Westminster as a member of parliament. That's crucial because you can only run for Labour leader if you are a member of parliament."

Burnham is the "runaway favourite" to be our next prime minister, Chris added.

If Andy Burnham were to run unchallenged when the contest opens on 9 July, then he could become Labour leader after nominations close.

"Or there might be a view that a [leadership] contest is a good idea," Chris explained.

Until a new Labour leader is chosen, Mr Starmer will carry on in office.

There has been mixed reaction to the news of Sir Keir Starmer's resignation.

Several Labour ministers have thanked the prime minister and shared messages of support.

Politicians from other parties have also responded to the announcement.

Writing shortly before the prime minister's statement, the leader of the main opposition Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, said that Sir Keir was "terrible".

She added that if only Andy Burnham were running for the job of Labour leader, then "what are we waiting for?".

Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage called for a general election at the "soonest possible date".

Writing on social media, he added that Andy Burnham would see in a continuation of Mr Starmer's policies if he becomes the new Labour leader.

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney - who is the leader of the Scottish National Party - said that Starmer made the "right decision" to resign as prime minister.

"On a personal level, I wish the prime minister and his family well. Leadership is tough, and can make extraordinary demands both on the leader and their families," he explained.

Andy Burnham thanked Sir Keir Starmer for his leadership and said that the country now expects "stability" and "seriousness".