Keir Starmer resigns as UK PM but will stay on until successor is chosen; says he ripped out ‘poison of antisemitism’ from Labour

By Agencies 22 June 2026, 11:41 am

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Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer makes a statement on his future outside 10 Downing Street on the morning of June 22, 2026, in London. (Henry NICHOLLS / AFP)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he is stepping down as leader of the governing Labour Party.

“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,” Starmer says as he chokes up in an emotional speech outside 10 Downing Street.

Starmer says he will remain caretaker prime minister until a new Labour leader is chosen in the next few weeks.

Starmer says he “inherited a Labour Party that was politically, financially, and thoroughly bankrupt,” but disproved the critics who said the party was finished, notably by ridding Labour of antisemitism. “We proved them wrong by changing our party: ripping out the poison of antisemitism, restoring trust in the economy, defense, and national security, and standing proudly with our national flag.”

Starmer makes the announcement after facing growing pressure to hand over to a new leader who can try to revive the government’s flagging fortunes.

He has been in office since leading Labour to a landslide election victory in July 2024. In those two years, his popularity and that of the party have plummeted.

His departure was triggered by the victory of Andy Burnham in a special election last week. The popular ex-mayor of Greater Manchester planned to challenge Starmer for the Labour leadership.