Starmer resignation starts UK leadership transition

Keir Starmer’s resignation began a formal transition inside the Labour Party. He said nominations for the leadership would open on July 9 and should be completed by the summer recess on July 16, with a new leader expected before Parliament returns in September if a contest is required.

Andy Burnham confirmed that he would put himself forward, while Wes Streeting signaled that he would support Burnham rather than divide the party through a summer-long fight. Starmer promised an orderly handover and said his successor would receive his full support.

The resignation followed months of vulnerability, including controversy over Peter Mandelson’s appointment, Labour’s poor local-election performance, and resignations by several ministers who questioned Starmer’s ability to lead the party into the next election.

Source: https://time.com/article/2026/06/22/uk-prime-minister-keir-starmer-resignation-reports-burnham-leadership-potential/