UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Resigns: Who Will Succeed Him?

On June 22, 2026, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer formally announced his resignation after months of pressure from Labour MPs and cabinet ministers. The primary cause was a sharp decline in the ruling party's popularity amid the rise of Nigel Farage's far-right Reform UK party, compounded by disastrous local election results in May.

In the May local elections, Labour lost 1,496 council seats, while Reform UK gained 1,453 seats—mostly from Labour—and took control of 14 councils. The result was widely seen as a referendum on Starmer's government. He also faced criticism from both the left and right wings of his party for a hardline stance on immigration that failed to prevent Reform UK from winning over voters, as well as policies on Israel and welfare cuts that angered progressive voters.

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, Starmer said: 'The question my party is now asking is whether I am the best person to lead us into the next general election. I have heard the answer from the parliamentary party, and I accept it with grace.' He confirmed he had spoken to King Charles to inform him of his decision.

The Labour leadership election process will begin with nominations opening on July 9 and closing before Parliament's summer recess on July 16. Starmer will remain Prime Minister until the election concludes. Under Labour rules, candidates need the nomination of 20% of the party's MPs—equivalent to 81, given Labour's current 403 seats in the House of Commons.

Andy Burnham, who was just elected MP for Makerfield last week with 55% of the vote—more than 9,200 votes ahead of his Reform UK rival—is widely seen as the frontrunner. As Greater Manchester Mayor, he is known for the 'Manchesterism' model, combining pro-business policies with public control over essential services, a formula that strongly appeals to traditional working-class voters who have been drifting toward Reform UK.

Other potential candidates, such as former Health Secretary Wes Streeting and former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, have already declared their support for Burnham and ruled themselves out of the race. Streeting said: 'We can spend the summer exaggerating small differences, or we can roll up our sleeves and help Andy bring the change the party and country need.'

Professor Christopher Featherstone from the University of York noted that if Burnham is the only qualified candidate, he will win outright. If there are challengers, a preferential vote will be held among party members with at least six months of membership. If no one exceeds 50% of first-preference votes, the weakest candidates are eliminated and their votes redistributed until a winner emerges.

Once the new leader is chosen, Starmer will formally resign as Prime Minister to King Charles, who will then invite the successor to form a government. Featherstone added: 'Burnham has the strongest momentum entering the race and has essentially forced Starmer's hand. Many see this as his contest to lose.'