Keir Starmer Resigns as Labour Leader but Remains UK Prime Minister

פורסם: 2026-06-22 12:02:25 | עכשיו: 2026-06-22 12:02 פורסם: 2026-06-22 12:02:25 | עכשיו: 2026-06-22 12:02

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer formally announced his resignation as leader of the Labour Party on Monday, delivering a speech from 10 Downing Street in which he confirmed he had already informed King Charles of his decision. He made clear he intends to remain Prime Minister until a successor is appointed.

"I will resign as leader of the Labour Party. I have informed King Charles of this," Starmer said. He added that he would continue to serve as Prime Minister throughout the transition period, ensuring governmental continuity until a new leader is chosen and formally installed.

Starmer acknowledged the pressure that had been building within the party ahead of the next general election. "I know that the question right now is not who is best suited to lead the party in order to bring it to power, but rather whether I am the right person to lead the party into the general election," he said.

He pointed to the mood among Labour members as a key factor in his decision. "Party members have made their voices heard, and I am responding to them in good faith," he said, signaling that the resignation reflected growing internal dissatisfaction rather than any single external event.

Starmer had informed several close members of his staff of his intention to step down before making the public announcement, which confirmed what had already been circulating within his inner circle for hours. Reports of his likely departure had emerged the day before, with sources in Britain indicating a statement was imminent.

Starmer came to power following Labour's sweeping general election victory that ended over a decade of Conservative rule. His tenure was marked by persistent turbulence, with critics within the party questioning whether he had the political strength to secure Labour another electoral mandate. That internal pressure wore him down in the end.

The focus now turns to who will succeed him at the head of Labour. The leadership selection process is expected to begin within days, with several party figures already being discussed as potential candidates. Until it concludes, Starmer will continue to run the government from Downing Street.