UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister, bringing an end to his tenure in Downing Street.
Speaking emotionally outside No. 10 Downing Street on Monday morning, Starmer confirmed that a new Labour leader and Prime Minister would be in place by September.
Holding back tears, the Prime Minister paid tribute to his wife, Victoria, and their children, describing them as his greatest source of strength throughout his time in office.
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“When I leave the biggest job in the country, I shall spend more time on the most important job, being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad, and being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and my joy,” he said.
Starmer described his entry into Downing Street as the “proudest moment” of his life but acknowledged that his time as Prime Minister had come to an end.
“The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election,” he said.
“I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.
“Every decision I have taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party.”
The outgoing Prime Minister confirmed that he would remain in office until the Labour Party completes its leadership contest to ensure what he described as an “orderly handover of power.”
Andy Burnham Emerges as Frontrunner
Attention has quickly shifted to Andy Burnham, who is widely regarded as the frontrunner to succeed Starmer.
Burnham is reportedly heading to Westminster after securing a decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election, strengthening speculation that he could become the next Labour leader and Prime Minister.
Farage Calls for Immediate General Election
Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has called for an immediate general election following Starmer’s resignation announcement.
In a strongly worded statement, Farage argued that the British public should be given the opportunity to decide who governs the country next rather than having a new Prime Minister emerge solely through an internal Labour Party process.
“The electorate won’t accept being taken for fools,” Farage said, insisting that Britain could not afford to “drift from crisis to crisis.”
The Reform UK leader also claimed that voters had increasingly lost trust in the political establishment and pointed to his party’s recent electoral gains as evidence of growing public dissatisfaction.
Political Uncertainty Ahead
Starmer’s resignation opens a new chapter in British politics, with the Labour Party now preparing for a leadership contest that will determine who succeeds him as Prime Minister.
The development is expected to intensify political debate across the United Kingdom, with opposition parties already positioning themselves for what could be a turbulent transition period.
More details to follow.
