The Latest: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer quits

LIVE ALL breaking news updates Keir Starmer says he’ll step down as UK Labour Party leader, will remain UK prime minister until successor chosen. (AP video by Henry Wilkins) Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] What to knowBritish Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday he is stepping down as leader of the governing Labour Party and will leave office within weeks, scarcely two years after being elected in a landslide. Starmer says he will remain caretaker prime minister until a new Labour leader is chosen by the party. Starmer is the sixth prime minister in a decade to announce a premature departure.Starmer made the announcement after facing growing pressure to hand over to a new leader who can try to revive the government’s flagging fortunes. He led Labour to a landslide election victory in July 2024, but since then his popularity and that of the party have plummeted.The formal contest to replace Starmer will begin in early July and could end in a matter of days. Starmer said Monday that nominations will open on July 9 and close when Parliament breaks up for its summer recess, which is scheduled to begin July 16. The contest will be open to members of Parliament from the ruling Labour Party.Former Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is the leading candidate to replace Starmer. The question now is whether anyone will challenge him. Andy Burnham confirms he will run to succeed Starmer Former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has confirmed he will run to succeed Keir Starmer as Labour leader and prime minister.He posted on social media that he will “put myself forward as part of this process.”Wes Streeting, considered another leading contender, said he will back Burnham.That makes it more likely that Burnham will be selected without a leadership contest. JUST IN: Former Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham confirms he will run to succeed Keir Starmer as Labour leader and UK prime minister Liberal Democrats say ‘merry-go-round of prime ministers’ needs to change Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat Leader, said Starmer’s replacement would have to change “our broken politics.”“The British people are sick of being let down by an endless merry-go-round of prime ministers while nothing really changes for them,” he said. “This time must be different. It can’t just be about changing who’s in No. 10, it has to be about changing our broken politics so we can fix our country.”Zack Polanski, who leads the Green Party, echoed that the U.K. needs a “bold change of direction.” Referring to former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who many expect to become the next Labour leader, Polanski said: “The time for half measures and sticking plasters is long gone — if he becomes the next PM, Burnham must be bold or he will be bust.” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s spokesperson says his government ‘has taken note’ of Starmer’s statement “The German government has always had in Keir Starmer a reliable and close partner in foreign policy questions, particularly regarding Ukraine,” Kornelius told reporters in Berlin. He declined to comment on the “internal motives in Britain.”He said the government believes a meeting that Merz plans to host in Berlin Wednesday of the so-called “E5” – Germany, France, Britain, Italy and Poland – will go ahead as planned despite Starmer’s announcement. The meeting is meant as part of preparations for the upcoming NATO summit. WATCH: Keir Starmer’s rise to power and resignation as UK prime minister Keir Starmer said Monday he’ll step down as UK Labour Party leader, will remain UK prime minister until successor chosen. PHOTOS: A look at Keir Starmer’s political career A look at Keir Starmer’s political career, in photos 1 of 17 | Keir Starmer, Leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party gestures during a question and answer session at a business conference in London, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. 400 senior business leaders will be in attendance for speeches, panels and roundtables at the Labour Business Conference. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File) 2 of 17 | Labour Party leader Keir Starmer shakes hands with his supporters at the Tate Modern in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File) 3 of 17 | Britain’s Labour Party Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria pose for the media on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street after he was appointed as Prime Minister by King Charles at the Buckingham Palace, in London, July 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File) 4 of 17 | Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his ‘plan for change’ speech in Buckinghamshire, England, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Darren Staples, Pool, File) 5 of 17 | Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer talks to journalists as he travels onboard a plane to Washington DC to attend a Nato summit July 9, 2024. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool Photo via AP, File) 6 of 17 | Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves gesture after her speech at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, England, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Super, File) 7 of 17 | Britain’s King Charles III, right, shakes hands with Keir Starmer where he invited the Labour Party leader to become prime minister and to form a new government, following the landslide general election victory for the Labour Party, in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. (Yui Mok, Pool Photo via AP, File) 8 of 17 | Ukrain’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, with, from second left, Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, and Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz pose on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street, London, Dec. 8, 2025, following a meeting of the leaders inside. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File) 9 of 17 | President Donald Trump and Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer gesture next to first lady Melania Trump and Victoria Starmer after watching a display by the British Parachute Regiment’s “Red Devils” display team at Chequers near Aylesbury, England, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) 10 of 17 | Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana, File) 11 of 17 | European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, from left, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President Donald Trump, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stand before a group photo in the Grand Foyer of the White House, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) 12 of 17 | President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a meeting at the Trump Turnberry golf course in Turnberry, Scotland Monday, July 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) 13 of 17 | Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer is lead by Director General Yousif Alobaidli and tour guide Mahra, right, as he visits the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024 during his three day visit of United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Cyprus. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool, File) 14 of 17 | Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer boards a plane at the airport in Doha, Qatar, Friday, April 10, 2026 after his three day visit to the Gulf region. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, Pool, File) 15 of 17 | British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, right, talks with Britain’s ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson during a welcome reception at the ambassador’s residence on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025 in Washington. (Carl Court/Pool Photo via AP, File) 16 of 17 | Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer hugs his wife Victoria outside 10 Downing Street after speaking to the media in London, Monday, June 22, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung) 17 of 17 | Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and wife Victoria walk back inside 10 Downing Street after speaking to the media in London, Monday, June 22, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung) 1 of 17 | Keir Starmer, Leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party gestures during a question and answer session at a business conference in London, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. 400 senior business leaders will be in attendance for speeches, panels and roundtables at the Labour Business Conference. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File) 1 of 17 Keir Starmer, Leader of Britain’s opposition Labour Party gestures during a question and answer session at a business conference in London, Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024. 400 senior business leaders will be in attendance for speeches, panels and roundtables at the Labour Business Conference. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 2 of 17 | Labour Party leader Keir Starmer shakes hands with his supporters at the Tate Modern in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File) 2 of 17 Labour Party leader Keir Starmer shakes hands with his supporters at the Tate Modern in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 3 of 17 | Britain’s Labour Party Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria pose for the media on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street after he was appointed as Prime Minister by King Charles at the Buckingham Palace, in London, July 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File) 3 of 17 Britain’s Labour Party Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria pose for the media on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street after he was appointed as Prime Minister by King Charles at the Buckingham Palace, in London, July 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 4 of 17 | Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his ‘plan for change’ speech in Buckinghamshire, England, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Darren Staples, Pool, File) 4 of 17 Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his ‘plan for change’ speech in Buckinghamshire, England, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Darren Staples, Pool, File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 5 of 17 | Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer talks to journalists as he travels onboard a plane to Washington DC to attend a Nato summit July 9, 2024. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool Photo via AP, File) 5 of 17 Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer talks to journalists as he travels onboard a plane to Washington DC to attend a Nato summit July 9, 2024. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool Photo via AP, File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 6 of 17 | Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves gesture after her speech at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, England, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Super, File) 6 of 17 Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves gesture after her speech at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, England, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Jon Super, File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 7 of 17 | Britain’s King Charles III, right, shakes hands with Keir Starmer where he invited the Labour Party leader to become prime minister and to form a new government, following the landslide general election victory for the Labour Party, in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. (Yui Mok, Pool Photo via AP, File) 7 of 17 Britain’s King Charles III, right, shakes hands with Keir Starmer where he invited the Labour Party leader to become prime minister and to form a new government, following the landslide general election victory for the Labour Party, in London, Friday, July 5, 2024. (Yui Mok, Pool Photo via AP, File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 8 of 17 | Ukrain’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, with, from second left, Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, and Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz pose on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street, London, Dec. 8, 2025, following a meeting of the leaders inside. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File) 8 of 17 Ukrain’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, with, from second left, Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, and Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz pose on the doorstep of 10 Downing Street, London, Dec. 8, 2025, following a meeting of the leaders inside. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 9 of 17 | President Donald Trump and Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer gesture next to first lady Melania Trump and Victoria Starmer after watching a display by the British Parachute Regiment’s “Red Devils” display team at Chequers near Aylesbury, England, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) 9 of 17 President Donald Trump and Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer gesture next to first lady Melania Trump and Victoria Starmer after watching a display by the British Parachute Regiment’s “Red Devils” display team at Chequers near Aylesbury, England, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 10 of 17 | Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana, File) 10 of 17 Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Omar Havana, File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 11 of 17 | European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, from left, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President Donald Trump, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stand before a group photo in the Grand Foyer of the White House, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) 11 of 17 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, from left, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President Donald Trump, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stand before a group photo in the Grand Foyer of the White House, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 12 of 17 | President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a meeting at the Trump Turnberry golf course in Turnberry, Scotland Monday, July 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) 12 of 17 President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a meeting at the Trump Turnberry golf course in Turnberry, Scotland Monday, July 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 13 of 17 | Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer is lead by Director General Yousif Alobaidli and tour guide Mahra, right, as he visits the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024 during his three day visit of United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Cyprus. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool, File) 13 of 17 Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer is lead by Director General Yousif Alobaidli and tour guide Mahra, right, as he visits the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024 during his three day visit of United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Cyprus. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool, File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 14 of 17 | Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer boards a plane at the airport in Doha, Qatar, Friday, April 10, 2026 after his three day visit to the Gulf region. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, Pool, File) 14 of 17 Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer boards a plane at the airport in Doha, Qatar, Friday, April 10, 2026 after his three day visit to the Gulf region. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant, Pool, File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 15 of 17 | British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, right, talks with Britain’s ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson during a welcome reception at the ambassador’s residence on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025 in Washington. (Carl Court/Pool Photo via AP, File) 15 of 17 British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, right, talks with Britain’s ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson during a welcome reception at the ambassador’s residence on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025 in Washington. (Carl Court/Pool Photo via AP, File) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 16 of 17 | Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer hugs his wife Victoria outside 10 Downing Street after speaking to the media in London, Monday, June 22, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung) 16 of 17 Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer hugs his wife Victoria outside 10 Downing Street after speaking to the media in London, Monday, June 22, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share 17 of 17 | Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and wife Victoria walk back inside 10 Downing Street after speaking to the media in London, Monday, June 22, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung) 17 of 17 Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and wife Victoria walk back inside 10 Downing Street after speaking to the media in London, Monday, June 22, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share The curious sign of the lion and the unicorn Prime Minister Keir Starmer stood behind a lectern featuring a crest with a lion and a unicorn.One is not native to the U.K., and the other is mythical.Both have shared the distinction of being part of the royal coat of arms since the 17th century.The lion, although it never lived in the wild in England, is its national animal. The unicorn, though fictional, is Scotland’s official animal.The two became part of the crest when the two crowns were united in 1603, as King James I ascended the English throne; he was already King James VI in Scotland. Starmer is sixth person to be British prime minister in 10 turbulent years of U.K. politics Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks to the media to announce his resignation outside Downing Street in London, Monday, June 22, 2026.(AP Photo/Alastair Grant) Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks to the media to announce his resignation outside Downing Street in London, Monday, June 22, 2026.(AP Photo/Alastair Grant) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share When he was elected in 2024 in a landslide victory for Labour, Starmer pledged to steady the ship and end years of political chaos under his predecessors, the Conservative Party.Starmer had succeeded Rishi Sunak, who held the top job from 2022 to 2024.Before Sunak, Liz Truss resigned only 45 days after becoming prime minister. Truss followed three other Conservative prime ministers: Boris Johnson (2019 to 2022), Theresa May (2016 to 2019), and David Cameron (2010 to 2016). Formal contest to replace Starmer will begin in early July The formal contest to replace Starmer will begin in early July and could end in a matter of days.Starmer said Monday that nominations will open on July 9 and close when Parliament breaks up for its summer recess, which is scheduled to begin July 16. The contest will be open to members of Parliament from the ruling Labour Party.Former Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is the leading candidate to replace Starmer. The question now is whether anyone will challenge him.If there is no challenge, Burnham could become Labour leader and thus prime minister soon after nominations close. Even if there is a contest, Starmer said a successor would be selected by Sept. 1. EU leader praises Starmer European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised Starmer’s legacy after news of his resignation in a post online on Monday.“It can take many leaders years to grow into the statesman you became in just two years,” she said on X. “European and Ukrainian security is stronger because of you. Thank you, dear Keir.” Starmer’s departure triggered Andy Burnham’s special election victory The popular ex-mayor of Greater Manchester planned to challenge Starmer for the Labour leadership.Starmer spent the weekend pondering his future following Burnham’ victory last week in a special election for a seat in Parliament. Burnham ran with the aim of challenging Starmer for leadership of the party and the country.Burnham is due to be sworn in as a member of Parliament on Monday.It’s unclear whether Burnham would face a coronation or a challenge, if Starmer steps aside. Wes Streeting, who resigned as health secretary last month to protest Starmer’s leadership, has said that he will run in a contest if there is one. Starmer’s announcement ends on an emotional note Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces his resignation to the media outside 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, June 22, 2026(AP Photo/Kin Cheung) Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer announces his resignation to the media outside 10 Downing Street in London, Monday, June 22, 2026(AP Photo/Kin Cheung) Add AP News on Google Add AP News as your preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Share Starmer made the announcement outside the prime minister’s 10 Downing St. residence, his voice choking with emotion near the end of the brief statement.“The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election,” Starmer said. “I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace. Keir Starmer announces resignation as UK prime minister British Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he is stepping down as leader of the governing Labour Party.Starmer says he will remain caretaker prime minister until a new Labour leader is chosen in the next few weeks.Starmer made the announcement after facing growing pressure to hand over to a new leader who can try and 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.