Overview
- On Monday Keir Starmer announced he will resign as leader of the Labour Party, told the king of his decision and asked the party’s National Executive Committee to set a leadership timetable with nominations opening on July 9.
- Starmer will stay in 10 Downing Street as interim prime minister until Labour elects a new leader, a process the NEC runs and which the party aims to conclude before Parliament returns from its summer recess.
- Andy Burnham re-entered the Commons by winning the Makerfield by‑election and is the leading challenger; a candidate needs the support of at least 20% of Labour MPs (about 81 backers) to force a wider contest and Burnham’s backers say he already has broad parliamentary support.
- The decision follows months of falling approval after poor local election results, internal pressure over policy choices and controversies such as the Peter Mandelson appointment, with party figures arguing a change is needed to blunt Reform UK’s rise.
- President Trump publicly predicted Starmer’s exit and attacked his immigration and energy record, a high‑profile commentary that grabbed headlines but did not drive the parliamentary rebellion that produced the resignation.