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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that he will resign as leader of the Labour Party, paving the way for a new prime minister to take office before Parliament reconvenes in September.
Speaking outside 10 Downing Street on Monday morning, Starmer said he had accepted his party’s verdict on his leadership and would step aside after concluding that he was no longer the best person to lead Labour into the next general election.
“The question my party has been asking is whether I am best placed to lead it into the next general election,” Starmer said. “I have heard the answer to that question and accept that answer with good grace.”
He stressed that every decision he had taken while in office had been guided by what he believed was best for Britain.
Starmer revealed that he had informed King Charles III of his decision during a phone conversation earlier in the day.
The King was at Highgrove House, his private estate in Gloucestershire, when the call took place.
The outgoing Labour leader said he had asked the party’s National Executive Committee to establish a timetable for the leadership contest, with nominations scheduled to open on July 9 and the process expected to conclude before Parliament’s summer recess.
According to Starmer, the timeline is intended to ensure that a new Labour leader—and by extension a new prime minister—is in place before lawmakers return in September.
Until then, he said, he would remain in office to oversee a smooth and orderly transfer of power.
Starmer pledged full support for his successor, saying he would do everything possible to facilitate the transition.
He added that whoever takes over would inherit “a Britain that is stronger and fairer than two years ago.”
He also expressed gratitude to friends, colleagues, staff at Number 10, and members of the civil service who had supported him throughout his six years as Labour leader.
In an emotional conclusion to his address, Starmer spoke about his family and the personal sacrifices of public service.
After leaving what he described as “the biggest job in the country,” he said he now intends to focus on “the most important job.”
“Being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife, Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad,” he said, visibly emotional.
He added that he hoped to spend more time being “the best dad” to his children, describing them as his “pride and joy.”
Starmer embraced his wife, Victoria Starmer, before returning inside Downing Street, bringing an emotional close to his resignation speech.
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