BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 22. British Prime
Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Friday after
losing the confidence of Labour MPs.
Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, Starmer said he had informed
King Charles of his decision earlier in the morning. He will remain
in post until a Labour leadership contest is concluded, with
nominations opening on July 9 and a new leader expected to be in
place before parliament returns in September.
"Every decision I've taken has been about putting the country I
love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour
Party," Starmer said, pledging his "full and unequivocal support"
to whoever succeeds him.
Starmer came to power in July 2024 following Labour's landslide
general election victory, ending 14 years of Conservative
government. Defending his two-year record, he pointed to stronger
economic growth, wages rising above inflation, falling NHS waiting
lists, and increased defence spending.
"Look at what we've achieved in just two years. An economy that
is stronger, growing faster than our peers. Wages rising faster
than inflation in every single month since we came to power,"
Starmer said, also citing what he described as the biggest
expansion of workers' rights in a generation.
He said his successor would inherit "a Britain that is far
stronger and fairer" than the one he took over two years ago.
