British Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer has announced that he will resign, bringing an abrupt end to his premiership less than two years after leading Labour to a landslide general election victory.

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street on Monday, Starmer said he had accepted the verdict of his parliamentary party and would step down as Labour leader, while remaining in office as prime minister until a new party leader is elected.

“I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question and I accept that answer with good grace,” Starmer said. “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 announcement paves the way for Britain’s seventh prime minister in a decade and marks a dramatic political turnaround for a leader who came to power promising stability after years of political turbulence.

Starmer said he had already spoken with King Charles III and pledged to ensure an orderly transition of power. He also promised to give his successor his full support during the handover process.

The pressure on Starmer had been mounting for several months but intensified significantly after Andy Burnham secured a decisive victory in a parliamentary election that returned him to Westminster, fuelling speculation about a leadership challenge within Labour.

An emotional Starmer struggled to hold back tears as he concluded his resignation announcement. His voice broke as he reflected on life after politics, saying that once he left the highest office in government, he intended to focus on his family.

In his final remarks, Starmer said he would dedicate himself to being the best husband to his wife, Victoria, and the best father to their children.

His resignation brings to a close a turbulent chapter in British politics and sets the stage for a contest to determine Labour’s next leader and Britain’s next prime minister.