On the morning of June 22, 2026Keir Starmer made a short televised statement outside 10 Downing Street to announce that he will step down as leader of the Labour Party. He said he had informed His Majesty the King of his decision and asked the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party to draw up a timetable that would open nominations on July 9 and conclude the process before parliament resumes in September. Starmer pledged to remain in post as prime minister until the contest is complete and to do “everything to ensure an orderly handover of power.”
The announcement followed a weekend of intense speculation after Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election. Burnham’s victory in Makerfield and the prospect of his return to Westminster were widely seen inside the party as a catalyst for the recent wave of challenges to Starmer’s leadership. Standing alongside his wife, Victoria Starmer the prime minister told gathered lawmakers that he had asked ministers whether he remained the best person to lead Labour into the next general election and that he had heard “the answer of my parliamentary party to that question” and accepted it “with good grace.”
Procedure and timetable for a leadership change
Starmer said nominations for a leadership contest will open on July 9 and that the intention is for a new leader to be in place before parliament’s return in September. He emphasised that he would continue as caretaker prime minister until the process concludes, promising full support to his successor. The prime minister used the moment to stress that every choice he had made had been guided by what he called “the best interests of the country.” The move formally triggers an internal Labour process that could produce a contested election or a single nominee depending on who stands.
Political pressure and party dynamics after Makerfield
Pressure on Starmer had been building for months, intensified by Labour’s weaker results in May local contests and a number of ministerial departures. Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned in May and has been named among figures prepared to press for change; Streeting has claimed the backing of the 81 Labour lawmakers required to trigger a leadership challenge and said he would be “prepared to do that” if a timetable was not set. Streeting remains identified as a potential candidate should a contest proceed.
Andy Burnham framed his recent Makerfield win as a possible turning point, describing the moment as “a final chance to change” and urging a new approach based on unity and hope. His success in the by-election, combined with disquiet inside Labour, was a key piece in the chain of events that led to Starmer’s decision to announce a departure timetable.
Reactions and notable statements
There were contrasting tones around the resignation. Within Downing Street, some Labour MPs applauded Starmer as he spoke, while colleagues and commentators debated whether the party would rally behind a single successor or face a competitive contest. Business Secretary Peter Kyle had earlier said Starmer was “making time to reflect on the political realities” and underlined that the prime minister would judge his next steps on what was in the “best interests of the country.”
Internationally, Donald Trump sent a message predicting Starmer’s exit and criticised the leader over immigration and energy policy, urging the opening of the North Sea for increased drilling in a message that concluded, “I wish him well.” The comment followed a period of strained relations between the two leaders over international issues.
Starmer’s departure marks a rapid turn in a political career that led Labour to victory in but has since seen the party’s fortunes waver. He told supporters he would not abandon the responsibility of ensuring a smooth transition and that he accepted his colleagues’ judgment “with good grace.” As nominations open on July 9 attention will now turn to whether Andy BurnhamWes Streeting or other figures will contest the leadership and whether a new party leader can be chosen before parliamentary business resumes in September.
