Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Monday that he will step down as both prime minister and leader of the Labour Party after growing unrest within his own party, major local election losses, and increasing calls for his resignation from Labour lawmakers and cabinet members.
In a statement outside 10 Downing Street, Starmer said he no longer believed he was the right person to lead Labour into the next general election and would remain as caretaker prime minister until a successor is chosen.
The resignation follows a turbulent period for Labour, including the loss of roughly 1,500 council seats and control of more than 25 councils in recent local elections. The party also faced internal divisions after two ministers resigned and more than 80 Labour MPs publicly urged Starmer to step aside.
Starmer said Labour’s National Executive Committee will begin the leadership contest on July 9, with a new leader expected to be in place before Parliament returns in September.
