The UK has been plunged into yet another political crisis as Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigns under intense pressure from his fellow lawmakers, Nigel Farage‘s Reform UK, and the wider electorate.

With his poll ratings rendering him one of the most unpopular Prime Ministers of the century, Starmer has become the sixth British PM to resign from their position rather than losing at an election in the last 10 years.

His Labour Party will now need to select a new leader to lead the country. 

Speaking in front of Downing Street this morning, an emotional Starmer said: “I have spoken to His Majesty the King this morning to inform him of my decision. I will ask the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party to set out a timetable with nominations opening on the ninth of July and completed by the summer recess. This will ensure a new leader is in place before Parliament returns in September.”

Starmer confirmed that he will “remain in post as Prime Minister until the contest is complete.”

Political parties in the UK can replace their leaders, including Prime Ministers, during their terms through internal elections. These elections can be enacted if enough members of a party lodge votes of no confidence in the leader. In this instance, the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party will launch a leadership contest and the winner will become the Prime Minister.

General elections take place every five years in the UK. The new Prime Minister and Labour leader will not be required to call one. The next general election is set for 2029. 

Starmer’s political authority has been shot for some time, largely thanks to a series of damaging self-made mistakes, such as the decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as the UK Ambassador to the United States despite his intimate relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Mandelson was removed as Ambassador and arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office following revelations uncovered in the Epstein files. Starmer’s exit was all but confirmed late last week following the result of a by-election in the Manchester constituency of Makerfield. 

Labour’s candidate Andy Burnham won the election, but his campaign was pitched as a referendum on Starmer’s leadership. Burnham, a Labour Party veteran and the former Mayor of Manchester, is now widely considered to be the favourite to replace Starmer. Burnham is set to travel to London today and officially take up his seat as MP for Makerfield.

Alongside Burnham’s election, Nigel Farage’s right-wing Reform Party has been surging in the polls and pulling the public debate in the UK to the right alongside the insurgent far-right party Restore Britain, led by Rupert Lowe. Burnham beat both Reform and Restore candidates to win the Makerfield by-election. Polls suggest Burnham could also be the best Labour leader to beat both parties in a general election, which would have influenced Starmer’s decision to step down.

In a Truth Social post this weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump predicted Starmer’s resignation, telling his followers that Starmer failed on immigration. 

“He failed badly on two very important subjects- IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (OPEN NORTH SEA OIL!). I wish him well!” Trump wrote.