Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that he is stepping down as Leader of the Labour Party.
Having taken over as party leader from Jeremy Corbyn in April 2020, Starmer led the party into the 2024 General Election, which resulted in a landslide victory and gave the UK the first Labour Government since Gordon Brown. Since that election victory, the party has introduced a number of significant policies, including the renationalisation of the rail network and improved worker and renters’ protections.
The Prime Minister’s resignation comes against the backdrop of mounting pressure following May’s local election results. Since the local elections, the Labour Party has seen a number of resignations, including Wes Streeting. Streeting’s resignation led to increasing talk of Starmer’s resignation which then led to last week’s Makerfeld by-election.
Having won the by-election last week, former Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham looks set to be the front-runner to take over from Starmer, however other challengers remain to be seen. Regardless of who wins the Labour leadership election, the departing Prime Minister has pledged his support for his successor and he stated that “they are inheriting a Britain that is stronger and fairer than two years ago.”
Nominations for the leadership contest will open on the 9th July before closing ahead of summer parliamentary recess on the 16th July. This should ensure that the new Labour leader, and thus Prime Minister, will be in place before parliament returns in September.
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