Keir Starmer Announces He’ll Resign as UK's Prime Minister

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday he is stepping down as leader of the governing Labour Party and will leave office within weeks, scarcely two years after being elected in a landslide. Starmer says he will remain caretaker prime minister until a new Labour leader is chosen by the party. Starmer is the sixth prime minister in a decade to announce a premature departure. 

Starmer made the announcement after facing growing pressure to hand over to a new leader who can try to revive the government’s flagging fortunes. He led Labour to a landslide election victory in July 2024, but since then his popularity and that of the party have plummeted.

The formal contest to replace Starmer will begin in early July and could end in a matter of days. Starmer said Monday that nominations will open on July 9 and close when Parliament breaks up for its summer recess, which is scheduled to begin July 16. The contest will be open to members of Parliament from the ruling Labour Party. Former Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham confirmed Monday that he will run to succeed Keir Starmer as Labour leader and prime minister.

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Associated Press.