Keir Starmer has announced he will resign as UK prime minister and leader of the Labour Party nearly after spending two years in office, saying he accepts his party’s judgement over whether he is the right person to lead it into the next general election.
In an emotional statement outside 10 Downing Street, Starmer said every decision he had taken in office was guided by his desire to “put the country I love first”.
He confirmed that he had informed King Charles III of his decision and asked Labour’s National Executive Committee to begin the process of choosing his successor, with nominations opening on July 9 and the contest expected to conclude before Parliament returns in September.
Starmer will remain in office as prime minister until a new Labour leader is elected, promising to ensure an orderly transition and to offer his full support to his successor.
Reflecting on his departure from what he called “the biggest job in the country”, Starmer said he looked forward to focusing on “the most important job” — being the best husband he could be to his wife, Vic, whom he described as his “rock”, and the best father to their children, who he called his “pride and joy”.
He also thanked his friends, colleagues, Downing Street staff and the “extraordinary civil service” for their support throughout his six years as Labour leader.
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