Keir Starmer resigns as British Prime Minister
Photo: Keir Starmer (Getty Images)
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday, June 22, that he is stepping down. He said he had spoken with the king, reports the BBC.
Starmer stated that he acknowledges that he is not the best person to lead the Labour Party in the next election. He also said that he accepts the decision to step down with dignity.
“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,” his statement reads.
The British Prime Minister noted that every decision he made was aimed at “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,” Starmer said.
Political сrisis in the UK
The political situation in Britain has sharply deteriorated following the Labour Party’s crushing defeat in the local elections.
Back in May, six influential members of the government, including Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, agreed on a joint position and intended to demand Keir Starmer’s resignation. At the time, he rejected such calls and emphasized that he would continue to fulfill his duties.
Subsequently, internal party discontent escalated into an open crisis. Health Secretary Wes Streeting was the first to leave the government, announcing his resignation after losing confidence in Starmer. He stated that he considered it unprincipled to remain in the government.
On Sunday, Yvette Cooper privately urged Keir Starmer to step down as prime minister.
