Keir Starmer Resigns As UK Prime Minister; Hugs Crying Wife Following Announcement (Videos)
Keir Starmer has resigned as UK Prime Minister and Labour Party leader amid mounting pressure from within his party. He will remain caretaker prime minister until Labour elects a successor. The move follows Andy Burnham's recent parliamentary election victory, which intensified speculation about a leadership challenge and accelerated calls for change within the governing party.
Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as the United Kingdom's Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party on Monday, June 22, bringing an end to a premiership that lasted less than two years. Starmer said he will remain as caretaker prime minister until the Labour Party elects a new leader in the coming weeks.
The announcement comes amid growing pressure from within the governing Labour Party and follows the recent political rise of Andy Burnham, who is widely seen as a leading contender to succeed him. Burnham's victory in a special parliamentary election last week intensified speculation about a leadership challenge and accelerated calls for change within Labour. UK PM Keir Starmer May Resign Amid Leadership Speculation, Says Report.
Keir Starmer Resigns As UK PM
Watch live: My statement. https://t.co/MX7ga3FRGq
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 22, 2026
🚨 WATCH: Keir Starmer announces he's resigning Prime Minister
"Every decision I have taken is about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign" pic.twitter.com/x8p6B6WVWj
— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) June 22, 2026
🚨 BREAKING: Keir Starmer gets emotional as he resigns as Prime Minister
"I shall spend more time on the most important job. Being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife Vic... and being best dad I can to my beautiful children, who have been my pride and joy" pic.twitter.com/3OaOMTqPLQ
— Politics UK (@PolitlcsUK) June 22, 2026
UK PM Starmer leaves to applause after his resignation announcement
Hugging his crying wifehttps://t.co/2NpPAKGjv3 pic.twitter.com/DlGiHeOFe8
— RT (@RT_com) June 22, 2026
Starmer emerged from 10 Downing Street alongside his wife before delivering a resignation statement to supporters and media gathered outside the prime minister's official residence.
The move marks the end of his tenure at the head of the Labour government, less than two years after leading the party to a decisive general election victory. Starmer said he would continue overseeing government affairs until a successor is selected through the Labour Party's leadership process. ‘Big Moment for Our Country’: UK PM Keir Starmer Says Britain Will Ban Under-16s From Using Range of Social Media Apps.
Keir Starmer Resigns As UK PM: Pressure Within Labour Intensified
Starmer's resignation follows months of internal dissatisfaction within Labour, driven by declining approval ratings, disappointing local election results and growing concerns among MPs about the party's electoral prospects. Reports indicated that pressure from lawmakers and senior party figures had increased significantly in recent weeks.
The situation escalated after Burnham secured victory in the Makerfield by-election, returning him to Parliament and positioning him for a potential leadership challenge. Burnham's win was widely viewed as a turning point in Labour's internal debate over its future direction.
Andy Burnham Emerges as Frontrunner
Burnham, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester, is now considered the leading candidate to replace Starmer. His parliamentary return followed a special election that many observers saw as a direct test of support for Labour's leadership.
Political analysts expect Labour to either hold a formal leadership contest or move quickly to install a successor if a consensus candidate emerges. Starmer has indicated that he will support an orderly transition and continue serving until the process is completed.
Under the UK's parliamentary system, the governing party can replace its leader without triggering a general election. The winner of the Labour leadership contest would automatically become prime minister as long as the party retains its parliamentary majority.
Labour is expected to outline the timetable for selecting its next leader in the coming days. According to reports, the transition could be completed before Parliament reconvenes later this year.
Starmer led Labour back to power in the 2024 general election after years in opposition. However, his government faced increasing political challenges, including economic concerns, declining public support and internal party divisions.
His resignation opens a new chapter for Labour and marks another leadership transition in British politics, with attention now focused on who will lead the party and government through the next phase of its term.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 22, 2026 02:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
