Sir Keir Starmer has announced that he will resign as Labour leader and stand down as Prime Minister after accepting that he no longer has the support of his parliamentary party.
In an emotional statement outside 10 Downing Street on Monday morning, Sir Keir said he had spoken to the King and would remain in office until his successor was chosen.
The announcement came after months of mounting pressure on his leadership and followed Andy Burnham’s decisive victory for Labour in the Makerfield by-election.
Mr Burnham’s return to Parliament cleared the way for the former Greater Manchester mayor to stand in the Labour leadership contest.
Sir Keir said: “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.
“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.”
Sir Keir said he had asked Labour’s National Executive Committee to draw up a timetable, with nominations opening on July 9.
A new leader is expected to be in place before Parliament returns in September.
He said: “I will remain in post as Prime Minister until the contest is complete, and I will do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power.
“I will also give my successor my full and unequivocal support, knowing that they will inherit a Britain that is far stronger and fairer than the one I inherited two years ago, better prepared for the challenges ahead and better able to ensure the Labour Party secures a second term in office.”
Sir Keir used the speech to defend his record in government, pointing to measures that he said had lifted half a million children out of poverty, restored Britain’s international reputation and strengthened relations with European allies.
He said Labour had delivered the change it had promised after returning to power in the 2024 general election.
“Change promised by a Labour government. Change fought for by a Labour government. Change delivered by a Labour government,” he said.
He also thanked his colleagues, Number 10 staff and the civil service for their work during his premiership.
Sir Keir became visibly emotional as he thanked his wife, Victoria, and their children, with his voice breaking and tears in his eyes towards the end of the speech.
He said: “When I leave the biggest job in the country, I shall spend more time on the most important job: being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife Vick, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad, and being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and my joy.”
He then returned to Number 10 with his wife at his side as staff gathered outside and applauded.
Mr Burnham won the Makerfield seat with 24,927 votes, compared with 15,696 for Reform UK’s Rob Kenyon.
The victory gave him a majority of 9,231 and returned him to Westminster after more than nine years as mayor of Greater Manchester.
He is now widely expected to enter the race to succeed Sir Keir, although it remains unclear who else will stand.