Keir Starmer resigns as British Prime Minister and leader of Labour Party

Keir Starmer has announced he will resign as prime minister and leader of the Labour Party.

Before he announced his resignation, Starmer said he inherited Labour Party that was “politically, financially and morally bankrupt”.

He says he was told “time and time again” that the party was “finished”, but says he “proved those people wrong”.

He says he changed the party by “ripping out the poison of antisemitism”.

“Restoring trust on the economy, defence and national security,” he adds.

Starmer says the question his party is asking is whether he is best placed to lead it into the next general election.

He says he has “heard the answer” of his party to that question and “accepts that answer with good grace”.

Every decision he says he has taken has been about “putting the country I love first”.

“I will resign as leader of the Labour Party,” he says.

Starmer says he spoke to the King this morning to inform him of his decision to resign.

He has asked the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party to set out a timetable with nominations opening for the leadership on 9 July, and completed by the summer recess.

This will mean a new leader is in place before parliament returns in September.

Until then he will remain in post as prime minister, he says.

Keir Starmer says he will do everything he can to ensure an orderly handover of power, and will give his successor his full support.

They know, he continues, that they are inheriting a Britain that is stronger and fairer than two years ago.

Starmer then thanks his friends and colleagues who have been by his side for six years, as well as the No 10 staff and the “extraordinary civil service”.

Starmer says after leaving the “biggest job in the country” he will 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,” he says, fighting back the emotion of the moment.

“And being the best dad that I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and joy,” he concludes.

He hugs his wife before heading back inside No 10.

The prime minister spoke to the King this morning to tell him he was resigning.

They spoke over the phone.

The King was at Highgrove – his estate in Gloucestershire.

When will there be a new prime minister?

Keir Starmer said he will ask the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee that nominations for the party’s new leader open on 9 July.

He said this will be completed “by the summer recess”, which is a week later, on 16 July.

In the case of a contest, this will ensure a new leader is in place by the time Parliament returns from its summer break on 1 September, he said.

As we’ve been reporting, it’s unclear if there will be a contest over the next Labour leader.

If, for instance, Andy Burnham were to run unchallenged when the contest opens on 9 July, he could become Labour leader after nominations close.

Until this is decided, Starmer will remain as prime minister.

Source: BBC