Keir Starmer has announced he will resign as Prime Minister, paving the way for Andy Burnham to take over the reins at No10.
Sir Keir, who has spent the weekend mulling his political future, has asked Labour’s governing body to set out a timetable to replace him, beginning on July 9, and ending by the summer recess to “ensure a new leader is in place before Parliament returns in September”.
He said he would do all he can to ensure an “orderly” transition of power and that becoming Prime Minister was the “proudest moment of my life”.
His voice cracked during an emotional speech outside No 10 Downing Street on Monday.
London Labour MPs piled pressure on Sir Keir to lay out a timetable for him to quit, starting a process of the UK installing its seventh prime minister in a decade.
His position as PM looked increasingly untenable after Mr Burnham’s decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election.
Mr Burnham is due to be sworn in at Westminster as the Greater Manchester constituency’s MP on Monday.
Scroll down for the latest updates.
SIR KEIR STARMER TO RESIGN AS LABOUR LEADER
09:37 , Tom Place
Sir Keir Starmer has announced a timetable for his resignation as Prime Minister.
He says this will ensure there is a new leader in time for parliament’s returns in September.
He also said he will give the new leader his full support.
Burnham sworn in as MP
14:48 , Tom Place
Andy Burnham has been sworn in as the Labour MP for Makerfield following last week’s by-election.
He met former defence secretary John Healey on his way to the Commons chamber, hugging and exchanging some brief words.
Mr Burnham was then met by huge cheers from the Labour benches as he entered a crowded Commons, taking the oath alongside new SNP MP Lara Bird and new Conservative MP Douglas Lumsden.
He bowed his head several times, grinning as he was greeted by supportive MPs.
14:11 , Matt Watts
Andy Burnham was greeted by a media frenzy at London’s Euston Station and left by taxi as he headed to Westminster to be sworn in as the MP for Makerfield.
Mr Burnham’s train arrived 21 minutes late at 1.30pm and it was a full 16 minutes until he exited the station into a black cab through an underpass at 1.46pm.
Lucy Powell MP was seen smiling as she left the station from the same train through a corridor of photographers and journalists at 1.32pm.
Around 50 journalists, photographers and videographers were waiting to greet Mr Burnham through the pedestrian exit of platform 13.
Reeves: 'There is more to do'
12:52 , Tom Place
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has paid tribute to Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership as she said “there is more to do”.
She posted on social media: “From taking our party from the worst defeat in modern history, Keir Starmer turned it around and delivered a landslide majority just four years later.
“That was thanks to the public trusting us on the economy and on security, and thanks to our commitment to investing in every part of our country, in our public services and rebalancing the economy so it works for working people.
“Our economy is now better protected from global instability. We were the fastest growing G7 economy at the start of the year, we’ve had six interest rate cuts and inflation has held steady.
“We have achieved a lot together to be proud of, and there is more to do. I am grateful for Keir’s leadership and the work he has done to build a stronger, more secure Britain.”
More MPs pay tribute to Starmer
11:43 , Tom Place
More MPs have made statements following Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement this morning.
Labour MP for Bournemouth East Tom Hayes said Sir Keir Starmer is a “decent man, committed to his country, motivated by public service”.
He added: “Britain is stronger despite Donald Trump and the cost-of-living crisis made worse by his war. As a colleague of the Prime Minister said, it can take leaders years to grow into the statesman he became in two years.
“The Prime Minister has listened to the local election results. I wish Keir Starmer well. I think more people will feel more positively about him as we reflect on his service in the knowledge that it is ending.”
Luke Akehurst, MP for North Durham, said history will likely be “kinder to Keir Starmer than the opinion polls have been”.
Mr Akehurst added: “He achieved what many said was impossible by taking Labour from a broken party, morally compromised by antisemitism and extremism, at the end of the Corbyn era, to a landslide win.
“The important thing now is the unity of the party as we attempt to recover lost supporters by delivering on the issues that voters care about: the cost of living, controlling immigration, improving public services, reindustrialising our left behind regions, and rearming to defend the UK in an era of dangerous military threats.”
Meanwhile, Camborne and Redruth MP Perran Moon, who in May signed a letter in support of Sir Keir Starmer staying on, simply said: “What have we done?”
Burnham could run unopposed
11:29 , Tom Place
Wes Streeting’s announcement that he will back Andy Burnham for Labour leader suggests that the former Greater Manchester mayor could run unopposed.
While it is conceivable that another challenger could come forward, no one else has publicly signalled an intention to stand, and any other MP would also need to get the support they would need to be a candidate.
Sir Keir Starmer said that he will ask the Labour Party's National Executive Committee that nominations for the party's new leader open on July 9, and for the process to be completed "by the summer recess", which is a week later, on July 16.
Should Mr Burnham run unchallenged when the contest opens, he could become Labour leader after nominations close.
Burnham confirms he will run for PM
11:22 , Tom Place
Andy Burnham has posted on X to confirm that he will be running for Labour leader.
He also thanked Sir Keir Starmer for his leadership, while adding that the country now expects “stability” and “seriousness”.
He wrote: “Keir has given huge service to our country and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication during such a challenging period.
“His decision marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way. I will put myself forward as part of this process.
“The country expects stability, seriousness and a continued focus on the issues that matter most and that is what it will get.
“As we move forward, our priority must be to work together to get the country back to where we all want it to be. People want to see progress on economic growth, cost of living, public services, housing and opportunities for the next generation. Political change should never distract from the responsibility to improve people’s lives.
“The Labour movement has always been at its strongest when it looks forward with confidence and purpose. This is what we will do from here and we will make sure this transition is a positive process of renewal for our party and our country.”
Keir has given huge service to our country and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication during such a challenging period.
— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) June 22, 2026
His decision marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way. I will…
Streeting backs Burnham for leader
11:17 , Tom Place
Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting has announced that he is backing Andy Burnham for Labour leader.
Mr Streeting resigned from the cabinet in May, in what was seen as a move to challenge Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership himself.
However, in a post on X he has now confirmed that he is behind Mr Burnham.
He said that had “spoken at length with Andy in recent days”, and that he was convinced that Mr Burnham “is committed to building an inclusive party that draws on the best of our political traditions and that he can win the fight of our lives against the force of nationalism”.
Calling for a coronation for Mr Burnham, he said: “We could spend the summer exaggerating small differences, or we can roll up our sleeves and help him to deliver the change our party and our country needs.
“That is the choice that I am making and I hope that everyone else will back Andy too.”
— Wes Streeting (@wesstreeting) June 22, 2026
What would Andy Burnham mean for London?
11:12 , Tom Place
Andy Burnham is the favourite to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader and Prime Minister of the UK.
What would Andy Burnham as Prime Minister mean for London? You can read the full story here.
Cabinet members pay tribute to Starmer
11:06 , Tom Place
A number of cabinet ministers have paid tribute to Sir Keir Starmer following his announcement that he will resign as Prime Minister.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “The Labour Party and the country owes a great deal to Keir Starmer.
“Brought Labour back from its worst result in living memory. Won a majority at a general election which history shows does not happen often for Labour leaders. And led the country through difficult times.”
While Housing Secretary Steve Reed posted on X: “Keir Starmer brought Labour back from the brink, won a landslide majority against all the odds, and is changing Britain for the better.
“Thank you Keir, we are proud of you.”
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones said the Labour Party “mustn’t forget the lessons of our successive defeats”.
He said: “I was proud to stand on Downing Street with the Prime Minister this morning. And I’m proud of the Britain that this Labour government is working to deliver – a country where power, wealth and opportunity is shared amongst the many and not the few.
“Keir Starmer brought our Labour Party back from the brink into government after 14 years in opposition.
“He did so because the public trusted us on the economy and on national security, and because they voted for our manifesto.
“My party mustn’t forget the lessons of our successive defeats, and must remember why and how we won only two years ago.
“Whatever happens next, we can be grateful for Keir Starmer’s leadership and the work his government has done to put Britain back on a path to a brighter future.
“We wish Keir and his family all the best for what comes next, and remain forever grateful for what he has done for my party and for our country.”
Unions speak after Starmer's announcement
10:56 , Tom Place
Eddie Dempsey, general secretary of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, said: “Andy Burnham said this Labour Government has one last chance to change and to end trickle down economics.
“We agree and that means intervening in the economy to expand public ownership, to raise wages, improve living standards and for the state to intervene to help working class people, not hang them out to dry at the mercy of market forces.
“Only by working with trade unions, radically improving the lives of ordinary people and securing the economy to serve them, can the Labour government have any hope of winning the next general election.”
Meanwhile, Dave Calfe, general secretary of Aslef, the train drivers’ union, paid tribute to Sir Keir Starmer, saying: “We want to thank Keir for the landslide victory of the Labour Party, after 14 years in opposition, at the general election in July 2024 and for the Employment Rights Act – the biggest uplift in working people’s rights in a generation – and for bringing Britain’s railways back into public ownership.
“Now we need a Prime Minister, and Labour Party leader, who will deliver Labour’s New Deal for Working People in full and who understands what the Labour Party needs to stand for in the 21st century.”
Starmer's resignation speech in full
10:46 , Tom Place
It has now been a little over an hour since Sir Keir Starmer announced he will resign as Prime Minister less than two years after coming to power.
You can read his speech in full here.
Labour chairwoman sorry for 'brutal' nature of politics
10:35 , Tom Place
The Labour Party chairwoman has thanked Sir Keir Starmer for “turning the Labour Party around” in a letter published on social media.
Anna Turley, Labour MP for Redcar and Cleveland, said: “Thank you for turning the Labour Party around from its worst defeat in nearly 100 years in just a few short years.
“I’m sorry that the nature of politics now is so impatient, so unforgiving and so personally brutal.
“You have shown that in a world of easy promises, irresponsible rhetoric and lazy, dangerous populism, it is still possible to do things the right way – to show duty, decency and the real patriotism of hard work and service.
“For all of that, and the fact that the country is on a firm path, with a Labour Government, to being a better place than it was when you entered Downing Street, I want to sincerely thank you.”
— Anna Turley MP (@annaturley) June 22, 2026
Pound remains lower
10:25 , Tom Place
The value of the pound remained lower after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer confirmed his plan to step down.
Sterling was down 0.21% at 1.320 against the US dollar in morning trading, having been around 0.3% lower shortly before his speech.
Meanwhile, it was down 0.04% against the euro at 1.153.
UK Government bond yields were a touch higher, with the 10-year yield up 0.012 percentage points at 4.859%.
Davey: New PM must fix 'broken politics'
10:20 , Tom Place
Sir Ed Davey said Sir Keir Starmer’s replacement as Prime Minister has to change “our broken politics”.
The Liberal Democrat Leader said: “The British people are sick of being let down by an endless merry-go-round of Prime Ministers while nothing really changes for them.
“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.
“That means tackling the cost of living with a bold new deal with Europe, fixing social care at long last to end the NHS crisis; and giving power back to people by voting reform and giving communities more control.
“Whoever becomes Prime Minister needs to drop the caution and complacency and show the ambition our country deserves.”
The British people are sick of being let down by an endless merry-go-round of Prime Ministers while nothing really changes.
— Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) June 22, 2026
This time must be different. It can’t just be about changing who’s in Number 10, it has to be about changing our broken politics so we can fix our country.
Polanski says Burnham 'must be bold'
10:11 , Tom Place
Green Party leader Zack Polanski has said that Andy Burnham “must be bold or he will be bust” should he replace Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street.
Mr Polanski said: “The country needs a bold change of direction. Starmer lost the confidence of the country because of his abject failure to challenge the power and wealth of an establishment which has taken for themselves while leaving the vast majority in a cost of living crisis and facing the worst impacts of the climate and nature crisis.
“The vested interests that are holding this country back need to be confronted, with wealth taxes on the super rich, utilities taken into public ownership, rent controls and affordable housing, and an end to support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
“We are still waiting to see which version of Andy Burnham might going to show up in Downing Street.
“While he has talked about a change of course, the early indications are not encouraging and suggest more of the same with better communication skills.
“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.
Farage calls for election
10:05 , Tom Place
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has called for a general election following Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement.
He said: “Reform demands an election, and we are ready to deliver radical change.
“If Labour thinks it can shove another professional politician into No 10, it has another thing coming.”
Khan pays tribute to Starmer
10:00 , Tom Place
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has paid tribute to Sir Keir Starmer following the Prime Minister’s announcement that he will be stepping down.
Sir Sadiq said: “Keir Starmer has been a friend and colleague for over three decades, ever since our time as young lawyers. He is man of great integrity who has devoted much of his career to public service.
“Keir Starmer has made a huge contribution to the Labour party and our country, and I want to thank him. He is only the fifth Labour leader to have won a general election, which has allowed him to deliver real progress. This includes bringing national rail services into public ownership, getting NHS waiting times down, rolling out free breakfast clubs and strengthening the rights of workers and renters. These are meaningful changes that will improve the lives of people in London and right across Britain for years to come.
“We still have more than half of this parliamentary term left, with a huge mandate. The local election results showed that people are impatient for the change that was promised and a Labour government that holds firm to the progressive values our party was established to promote. This should be the focus of the next Prime Minister.
“It's also crucial that the new Labour leader invests in every part of the country. This includes London, which is central to delivering for the rest of the country. We must use the potential of our capital to boost the national economy and raise living standards - for the benefit of Londoners and people right across the country.”
09:52 , Tom Place
Sir Keir Starmer became emotional towards the end of his speech, paying tribute to his wife Victoria and their children.
He said “When I leave the biggest job in the country, I shall spend more time on the most important job, being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife, Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad, and being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and my joy.”
He and Victoria then stood before No 10, before re-entering to loud applause and cheers.
09:48 , Tom Place
Sir Keir Starmer then confirmed that he would be stepping down as Prime Minister.
He said: “The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election.
“I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.
“Every decision I’ve taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour party.
“I have spoken to His Majesty the King this morning to inform him of my decision.”
Sir Keir then went about setting about a timetable for his departure.
He said: “I will ask the national executive committee of the Labour party to set out a timetable, with nominations opening on the 9th of July and completed by the summer recess.
“In the case of a contest, this will ensure a new leader is in place before parliament returns in September.
“I will remain in post as prime minister until the contest is complete, and I will do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power.”
Starmer lists Labour's achievements 'because of choices that I made'
09:44 , Tom Place
Sir Keir Starmer began by speaking of Labour’s journey to power.
He said: “Six years ago, I inherited a Labour party that was politically, financially and morally bankrupt.
“I was told time and time again that my party was finished, that we were consigned to history, that a majority at the general election, let alone a landslide majority, was impossible.
“We proved those people wrong because we changed our party, ripping out the poison of antisemitism, restoring trust on the economy, defence and national security, and becoming a party that once again stood proudly with God against our national flag.”
Sir Keir then listed his achievements during his time in office.
He said: "An economy that is stronger, going faster than our peers, wages rising, faster than inflation in every single month since we came to power.
"Investment secured, infrastructure being built, an end to austerity with the fastest fall in NHS waiting lists for 17 years, the biggest improvement in rights for workers and renters in a generation.
"The biggest uplift in defence spending since the Cold War. Small boat crossings falling, asylum hotels closing, protecting young people from social media and half a million children being lifted out of poverty because of the choices that I made."
Starmer tearful as he ends his speech
09:38 , Tom Place
Sir Keir’s voice shook as he stated that, once he steps down, he will concentrate on being the very husband and father he can be.
He then returned to No.10, with wife Victoria by his side, to more cheers and applause.
Starmer speaks
09:35 , Tom Place
Sir Keir emerged from No.10 to loud cheers and applause from the gathered crowd.
The Prime Minister is running through a list of all his government has achieved in his almost two years in power.
Sir Keir Starmer arrives
09:32 , Tom Place
Sir Keir Starmer has emerged, and is making an announcement to the crowd at Downing Street.
We will bring you all the latest lines here.
Lammy and Jones among government staff watching on
09:30 , Tom Place
David Lammy and Darren Jones are among those gathered outside No.10 to watch Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement.
A man can be heard chanting “Get Starmer out” with a megaphone outside the gates to Downing Street, while the microphone by the lectern has been tested.
Starmer announcement imminent
09:24 , Tom Place
The lectern is now in place outside No.10, and Downing Street is abuzz.
The scene is full of press, and staff members have gathered to watch the Prime Minister step down.
Sir Keir Starmer is set to appear any minute.
Downing Street prepares
09:09 , Tom Place
A podium and sound equipment are currently being set up in Downing Street.
It might not be too long until an announcement is made.
London MPs step up calls for Starmer to set out 'exit timetable'
09:01 , Tom Place
A number of London Labour MPs have been piling pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to lay out a timetable for him to quit as Prime Minister.
Sir Keir spent the weekend considering whether to resign, or try to fight on, with expectations that he could make a statement on his future as soon as today.
His position as PM looks increasingly untenable after Mr Burnham’s decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election.
You can read the full story by The Standard’s chief reporter Nicholas Cecil here.
Ahmed: Starmer stepping down the 'right thing to do'
08:30 , Tom Place
Former health minister Zubir Ahmed has said that he believes Prime Minister Keir Starmer setting out a timetable for him to step down is "the right thing to do".
Mr Ahmed, an ally of potential leadership challenger Wes Streeting, resigned his ministerial role last month.
He told the Today programme: "I think what's been happening over the weekend is that he has been reflecting - cabinet colleagues have been telling him that the current situation is unsustainable.
"It sounds like we're slowly getting to a point where the PM is going to set out a timetable to allow for an orderly transition to new leadership.
"I think that's the right thing to do."
Baroness Smith: Labour have to 'be really careful'
08:19 , Tom Place
Baroness Jacqui Smith has said that she would be willing to serve under Andy Burnham, but urged her party to be “careful” with the Labour Government.
She told Times Radio serving under three prime ministers had been “one of the greatest honours of my life”.
She said: “I would always want to serve a Labour government if I had the opportunity to do that.
“But what I also know is we don’t get Labour governments very often, and we have to be really careful – I’m talking about my Labour colleagues now – we have to be really careful about how we take care of the Labour governments that can make such a fundamental difference to the people of this country.”
The scene at Downing Street
08:10 , Tom Place
There is plenty of press at the scene in Downing Street, where Sir Keir Starmer is expecting to announce that he is stepping down as Prime Minister later today.
Burghart: Replacing Starmer won't solve Labour's problems
08:01 , Tom Place
A senior Conservative has said that there would not need to be a general election if Sir Keir Starmer resigns.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, shadow Cabinet Office minister Alex Burghart added that replacing the Prime Minister would not solve Britain’s problems.
Mr Burghart said: “Constitutionally there doesn’t have to be a general election, you can change prime ministers.
“What matters is whether the prime minister has the support of MPs in Parliament.
“But I have to say that there, it’s not just Keir Starmer’s legitimacy that is being called into question, it’s Labour’s.
“You can change the person at the top, but if the MPs underneath still think and vote the same way, then nothing will change.”
He added that Andy Burnham was “totally untested” and even a three-month transition period was “not going to allow him to have the time to come up with a perfectly polished set of policies that are going to fix the state the country is in”.
London MPs pile pressure on Starmer to announce departure timetable
07:52 , Tom Place
Liam Conlon, who represents Beckenham and Penge in south east London, told The Standard: “I’m delighted Andy won in Makerfield, and so decisively.
“I hope the Prime Minister will set out a timetable for an orderly transition, and I will be backing Andy to lead our party and country.”
Brent North MP Barry Gardiner is also supporting Mr Burnham taking over in No10.
“He's got the courage to do the things that London needs,” he told BBC London Politics, citing dealing with the Thames Water scandal and building more council homes.
Who is Andy Burnham?
07:45 , Tom Place
Andy Burnham, the newly-elected Labour MP for Makerfield, is widely expected to become the next Prime Minister.
He was previously Labour MP for Leigh between 2001 and and 2017, and ran to be party leader in both 2010 and 2015, losing on both occasions.
He left parliament to become the mayor of Greater Manchester, a role he has held for the past nine years.
Mr Burnham will formally take up his seat as an MP later today, around 2.30pm in the House of Commons.
Starmer thinking what is best for Britain as he decides whether to resign
07:32 , Tom Place
A senior minister said Sir Keir Starmer was considering whether to resign.
Skills minister Baroness Jacqui Smith told Times Radio: “The Prime Minister has been thinking hard about what he should do, what we should do in government at this particularly challenging time.
"This is probably a time to allow the Prime Minister to reflect on what he thinks the best thing for the country is."
"I trust him to make the right decision," she added on Sky News.
What comes next?
07:28 , Tom Place
Should Sir Keir Starmer step down today, a leadership contest within the Labour party seems likely.
However, all indications are that Andy Burnham would emerge victorious.
Mr Burnham, who won the Makerfield by-election last week, is due to be sworn in as an MP in the Commons chamber this afternoon.
Whoever did win the race would become the UK’s fifth Prime Minister in just four years, and a new cabinet would be appointed.
There is no timetable for any of these scenarios yet - but one may become clear later today should Sir Keir step down as expected..
Starmer expected to step down
07:18 , Tom Place
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to announce a timetable for his departure from Downing Street today.
The prime minister has been under mounting pressure to step down, especially since Andy Burnham’s victory at the Makerfield by-election.
Sir Keir has spent the weekend at Chequers, where it is believed he has been considering his political future.
Senior figures inside the government now expect him to announce both his resignation, and details of his succession plan.
Good morning
07:15 , Tom Place
Welcome to our live coverage, as Sir Keir Starmer is expected to announce his resignation plan today.
You can follow all the latest updates right here.
