He said every decision he made in office had been guided by the principle of “putting the country I love first.” Starmer thanked his wife, Victoria, describing her as a “rock,” and said he now wanted to focus on being the “best dad I can” to his children, whom he called his “pride and joy.”
He added that after leaving what he described as the “biggest job in the country,” he would dedicate more time to what he called the “most important job” — his family life.
Starmer's resignation means Britain will be welcoming its fifth prime minister in just four years, continuing a period of extraordinary political instability that has seen a succession of leaders leave office before completing a full parliamentary term.
Starmer confirmed that he had spoken to King Charles earlier in the day to inform him of his decision to step down. He also said he had asked the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee to set out a timetable for a leadership contest, with nominations opening on July 9 and a new leader expected to be in place before Parliament returns in September.
Until then, he said he would remain in office to ensure an orderly transition of power and would support his successor.
He acknowledged internal party questions about his leadership, saying he had “heard the answer” and accepted it “with good grace.” He also reflected on his tenure, saying he had inherited a Labour Party that was “politically, financially and morally bankrupt,” and credited his leadership with restoring trust in the party.
Before his announcement, Starmer said he had worked to rebuild Labour by “ripping out the poison of anti-Semitism” and strengthening trust in the economy, defence and national security.
Following the statement, he exited Downing Street alongside his wife to applause, as supporters gathered outside.
Andy Burnham, widely seen as a potential successor, is expected to be sworn in as MP for Makerfield following his recent by-election victory.
Starmer said he would support an orderly handover, marking the end of his tenure in office after leading Labour into government following its 2024 general election victory.
Starmer entered Number 10 Downing Street following Labour's landslide victory in the July 2024 general election, ending 14 years of Conservative rule. He promised economic renewal, stronger public services and lower living costs, but his premiership has been increasingly overshadowed by internal party divisions and declining public support.
Pressure on the prime minister intensified after Labour suffered severe losses in local elections earlier this year, surrendering nearly 1,500 council seats in England, losing control of Wales and recording its worst-ever performance in elections to the Scottish Parliament.
Discontent within Labour had been growing even before those results. Critics accused Starmer of repeatedly changing course on major policy commitments, while his decision to appoint Lord Peter Mandelson as Britain's ambassador to the United States sparked controversy after renewed scrutiny of Mandelson's past association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The political momentum shifted dramatically last week when Burnham won the Makerfield by-election, returning to Parliament after nine years as Mayor of Greater Manchester.
In July 2022, then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his resignation after a wave of ministerial departures and scandals that undermined his authority. He remained in office until a Conservative leadership contest elected his successor.
Johnson was followed by Liz Truss, whose premiership lasted just 49 days before she resigned in October 2022 after market turmoil triggered by her government's economic plans. Her departure made her the shortest-serving prime minister in British history.
Truss was succeeded by Rishi Sunak, who led the Conservatives until their defeat in the 2024 general election, when Starmer entered Downing Street as Labour leader.