Seven PMs in 10 years: Britain's decade of 'chaos'

Britain is bracing for its seventh prime minister in ten years, a stark indicator of the political turbulence that has defined the country's recent history. The latest upheaval comes as Labour leader Keir Starmer was ousted by his own party, a move that echoes the "chaos" of frequent leadership changes previously set by the Conservatives.

From 2016 until July 2024, the Conservative Party cycled through five prime ministers. This period saw David Cameron resign following the Brexit referendum, Theresa May struggle with Brexit negotiations, Boris Johnson navigate scandals and the pandemic, Liz Truss endure a record-short tenure due to a disastrous mini-budget, and Rishi Sunak lead for 20 months before losing the general election.

Keir Starmer, who had previously called for an end to the "chaos" of changing leaders, now faces a similar fate after less than two years in office. His resignation follows months of declining poll ratings and internal party maneuvering. Veteran Labour politician Andy Burnham has confirmed his intention to seek the leadership position.

The rapid turnover at the top has been a defining feature of British politics, contributing to a sense of instability. Starmer's ousting underscores the ongoing challenges in maintaining political leadership and party cohesion in the United Kingdom.