British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday he was stepping down as leader of the governing Labour Party and would leave office within weeks, scarcely two years after being elected in a landslide.
Starmer said he would remain caretaker prime minister until a new Labour leader was chosen by the party.
Starmer is the sixth prime minister in a decade to announce a premature departure.
Starmer made the announcement after facing growing pressure to hand over to a new leader who can try to revive the government’s flagging fortunes. He led Labour to a landslide election victory in July 2024, but since then his popularity and that of the party have plummeted.
The formal contest to replace Starmer will begin in early July and could end in a matter of days. Starmer said Monday that nominations will open on July 9 and close when Parliament breaks up for its summer recess, which is scheduled to begin July 16.
The contest will be open to members of Parliament from the ruling Labour Party. Former Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham confirmed Monday that he will run to succeed Keir Starmer as Labour leader and prime minister.
“I respect the decision he has made,” Støre, a fellow center-left leader, said in a statement emailed by his office.
“I have greatly appreciated the open and close dialogue with Starmer since he became Prime Minister two years ago,” he added. “The United Kingdom is Norway’s close ally in Europe, and over the past two years our countries have grown even closer through important agreements on climate, and energy and not least through a historic defense agreement and our decision to purchase British frigates for the Norwegian Navy.”
He said that “we have worked closely together to strengthen security cooperation in Europe and to support Ukraine”
In a post on X, Andy Burnham thanked Starmer for his service and leadership.
He said Starmer’s decision to step down “marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way. I will put myself forward as part of this process.”
“The country expects stability, seriousness and a continued focus on the issues that matter most and that is what it will get.”
He added: “People want to see progress on economic growth, cost of living, public services, housing and opportunities for the next generation. Political change should never distract from the responsibility to improve people’s lives.” – AP.
