Keir Starmer Resigns As UK Prime Minister

June 22, 2026 5:05 am

LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces he is stepping down as Labour Party leader. Starmer says he will remain as caretaker prime minister until a new leader is chosen. He made the announcement Monday after facing pressure to hand over to a new leader who can revive the government’s fortunes. Starmer led Labour to a landslide victory in July 2024, but his popularity has since plummeted. His departure follows Andy Burnham’s victory in a special election last week. Burnham, a popular ex-mayor, planned to challenge Starmer for leadership. Starmer is the sixth prime minister in a decade to announce a premature departure.