Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed that he will step down as Prime Minister, after overwhelming pressure from Labour MPs to make way for Andy Burnham to become Labour leader.
In a statement outside Downing Street this morning, Monday 22 June, Starmer confirmed he would resign.
He said: "Walking out this street two years ago was the proudest moment of my life, a new Labour government after years of disappointment and despair.
"The journey to that point was not easy. Six years ago, I inherited a Labour Party that was politically and morally bankrupt."
Watch live: My statement. https://t.co/MX7ga3FRGq
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) June 22, 2026
Starmer then explained how he ripped 'poison' such as antisemitism out of the party, and how much his government had achieved in the past two years, ending austerity, small boat crossings falling, standing with Ukraine and protecting children from social media.
"My party is asking whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election.
"I accept their decision in good grace; that is why I will resign."
Sir Keir had previously insisted he would fight a leadership challenge before the by-election.
Still, business secretary Peter Kyle said over the weekend that the Prime Minister was "making time to reflect on the political realities" he now faces.
The former health secretary, Wes Streeting, has declared his intention to stand for party leader, saying he has sufficient backers.
However, supporters of Sir Keir and Andy Burnham remain doubtful.
Sir Keir's position came under increasing strain following a series of policy U-turns, including changes to winter fuel support for pensioners and the appointment of Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to Washington.
He led Labour to a 174-seat majority just two years ago, but the party has since fallen behind in the polls.
Reform UK has now led in more than 300 consecutive national polls, and many Labour MPs believe that without new leadership, Nigel Farage could win the next general election.
Kemi Badenoch rules out Reform pact
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has ruled out an electoral pact with Reform UK.
She made the comments in a piece published in the Mail on Sunday , following growing speculation about possible cooperation between the two parties ahead of the next election.
Ms Badenoch said: "We are not the same, and voters are not ours to trade like football cards.
"Reform dress like Thatcherites but act like Corbynites.
"Farage may be trying to unite the right, I am trying to unite the country."
She criticised Reform UK's policies, claiming they support a larger state, nationalisation, and "unfunded giveaways."
This stands in contrast to the Conservatives’ recent adoption of tougher positions on issues such as immigration and asylum, which critics have described as attempts to win back voters from Reform.
Both Ms Badenoch and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage have publicly rejected the idea of an electoral alliance.
The remarks come amid ongoing pressure within Labour.
At the national level, the Conservatives have consistently trailed behind Reform UK in the polls.
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