Keir Starmer resigns as prime minister; Andy Burnham set to replace him

Britain is set to get its fifth prime minister in four years after Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday. The move was widely expected after months of mounting pressure from within the Labour Party. Starmer led Labour to a landslide victory in the 2024 general election, but faced growing criticism over his judgment and falling popularity.

Andy Burnham, a former minister under Gordon Brown and until last week the mayor of Greater Manchester, is the likely successor. Many in Labour see him as the party's best hope to counter the challenge from Nigel Farage's Reform UK.

Starmer's judgment was called into question after he appointed Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US despite Mandelson's links to Jeffrey Epstein. The scandal erupted in September 2025 when Mandelson's ties became fully known, damaging Starmer's government.

Reform UK's successes in local elections last year and again in May led to resignations by ministers and calls for Starmer to go. Burnham's supporters advocated for an orderly transition of power.

Burnham, known as "the King in the North" for his role as mayor, returned to parliament this month after winning a special election in Makerfield, defeating Reform UK by a significant margin. This positions him as Labour's "Reform slayer."

Starmer has informed King Charles III of his resignation. Labour's leadership contest is scheduled to begin on July 9, and if Burnham remains unchallenged, he could become leader on July 17 or 18. However, Farage is calling for a general election, claiming Burnham lacks a mandate.

Burnham's policy platform includes greater devolution and support for Starmer's immigration system changes. The next general election must be held by August 2029, and Reform UK currently leads in opinion polls, but Burnham aims to stem its rise.