British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Beijing in January promised a new chapter in relations for the two countries. The British leader said ties were in a strong place, signalling a reset in the relationship. Five months later, Starmer is on the way out of office. He announced his resignation on Monday, just two years after winning a landslide general election victory.

Starmer, who will stay until his successor is chosen, delivered a dignified speech in Downing Street, recognising that he has lost the support of his party.

Pressure had been building after a series of U-turns and scandals, low popularity ratings and damaging electoral defeats.

A tipping point was reached when the man set to replace him, Andy Burnham, won a convincing by-election victory last week, paving the way for a leadership challenge.

Burnham, a career politician and former minister, spent the last nine years as mayor of Greater Manchester. If unchallenged, he could be prime minister next month.