Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleMike TaylorMonday 22 June 2026 10:06 BSTStarmer announces resignation as prime ministerSir Keir Starmer has announced he will resign as Prime Minister less than two years after coming to power, which has sparked a contest to choose his successor, with Andy Burnham seen as the frontrunner.The former Greater Manchester mayor is expected to arrive in Westminster to be sworn in as an MP on Monday afternoon after winning the Makerfield by-election and former health secretary Wes Streeting is also expected to put himself forward as a candidate.Sir Keir said he would ask Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) to set out a timetable that would see a new leader in place by the time Parliament returns from its summer recess on 1 September.He said nominations would open on 9 July, the day after he is expected to return from a Nato summit in Turkey, and close to the start of the summer recess on 16 July.If no one challenges Andy Burnham in the leadership election, the former Greater Manchester mayor could be in place by 17 July.In fullStarmer resignation speech live: Emotional PM announces he will quit as leader of the Labour PartyThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in