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🇳🇵 Nepal /Elections & Politics

UK’s Starmer says he will resign

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation, aiming to ensure an orderly transfer of power by September.
  • Starmer stated he is no longer the right leader for the Labour Party heading into the next general election.
  • The Labour Party's organizing committee will set a timeline for a leadership contest, with a new leader expected by September.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday he will resign, vowing to facilitate an orderly transfer of power to a new leader by September at the latest. This move aims to prevent political instability as Britain braces for its seventh leader in a decade.

In an emotional speech, Starmer explained that he had listened to his governing Labour Party and concluded he is no longer the best person to lead them into the national election scheduled for 2029. After weeks of asserting he would contest any challenge to his leadership, Starmer spent the weekend reflecting at his country residence as support within the party dwindled.

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 from my parliamentary party to that question and I accept that answer with good grace.

— Keir Starmerexplaining his decision to resign as Prime Minister.

Starmer will ask the Labour Party’s organizing committee to establish a timeline for a leadership contest. Nominations are set to open on July 9 and close by mid-July, with a new leader expected by September if a contest is necessary. He acknowledged the party's question about his suitability to lead them into the next general election, stating, "I have heard the answer from my parliamentary party to that question and I accept that answer with good grace."

The pressure on Starmer had been building for months, intensifying after Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham decisively won a parliamentary election. Burnham is widely expected to succeed Starmer. The turnover in British leadership, the highest in nearly two centuries, underscores the ongoing struggle to maintain voter support amidst concerns about living standards, public services, and illegal immigration.

When I leave the biggest job in the country I will spend more time 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, and being the best dad ​I can to my beautiful children who are my pride and my joy.

— Keir Starmerreflecting on his family after announcing his resignation.
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Originally published by Kathmandu Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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