Keir Starmer has today announced his resignation as Prime Minister.

After growing speculation over the weekend, the Labour leader stood at the lectern outside 10 Downing Street this morning to tell the assembled media that his two-year stint as PM was over.

Starmer was widely applauded by members of his team as he addressed the nation, watched on by his wife, Victoria.

The announcement paves the way for a possible leadership contest or, as seems more likely, the coronation of former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as the seventh PM in 10 years, following last week’s landslide victory in the Makerfield by-election.

Starmer, whose voice cracked as he spoke about being the best husband and father he could be, spoke to the King this morning to inform him of his decision to resign.

The outgoing PM said he had listened to his party and heard the answer that he was not the right person to lead Labour into the next general election.

“I will resign as leader of the Labour Party,” he said.

He added that he had asked the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party to set out a timetable, with nominations for the leadership opening on 9 July and the process completed before the summer recess.

This will mean a new leader is in place before Parliament returns in September.

Starmer vowed to do everything he could to ensure an orderly handover of power and pledged his full support to his successor.

The 63-year-old began his resignation speech by saying that walking up Downing Street two years ago had been ‘the proudest moment of my life’.

Starmer, who is not known for normally showing emotion, fought back tears as he spoke about his future plans.

“Being the best husband I can be to my fantastic wife, Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad,” he said.

“And being the best dad I can be to my beautiful children, who are my pride and joy.”

His likely successor, Andy Burnham, was in Manchester this morning saying goodbye to his former staff before heading to Westminster.

While on a later train to London, he confirmed on X that he would stand in the leadership contest.

  • Starmer’s resignation will be discussed on this week’s episode of Northern Spin podcast by Chris Maguire and Frank McKenna.