Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed the full timetable for his resignation as Labour leader after stepping down outside Number 10 Downing Street today. The Labour Party leader will step down after hearing the calls from his party "loud and clear."
Leadership contest timeline
Starmer says he has asked Labour's National Executive Committee to set out a timetable for a Labour leadership contest, with nominations opening on 9 July. He says this will ensure there is a new Labour leader by the time parliament returns in September.
Starmer will stay in post in Downing Street until any leadership contest – or handover of power – is complete. He said: "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 of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace."
Key dates
Nominations will close before the summer parliamentary recess, on 16 July. In the case of a contest, this will ensure there is a new Labour leader by the time parliament returns in September.
Starmer added: "Every decision I’ve taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour party. I have spoken to His Majesty the King this morning to inform him of my decision."
Contenders and implications
Starmer’s decision to announce his own departure could kickstart a race among Labour MPs to become the UK’s seventh prime minister in 10 years, which Andy Burnham – who saw off a Reform challenge to win the Makerfield byelection – is in pole position to win. Some Labour MPs are concerned that Burnham may be unprepared for the role, and want him to face the scrutiny of a full contest.
Starmer's reflections
Starmer reflected on his tenure: "A new Labour government, the first in 14 years. A page in our country’s history turned after years of disappointment and despair, the chance to change the lives of millions of people for the better. That’s what I came into politics for. The journey to that point was not easy. Six years ago, I inherited a Labour party that was politically, financially and morally bankrupt. I was told time and time again that my party was finished, that we were consigned to history, that a majority at the general election, let alone a landslide majority, was impossible."
He went on: "We proved those people wrong because we changed our party, ripping out the poison of antisemitism, restoring trust on the economy, defence and national security, and becoming a party that once again stood proudly with God against our national flag. The hard work of change was with a singular purpose, not power for power’s sake, but to change Britain for the better, to build a fairer country with dignity and respect, where everyone is seen, everyone is valued, wealth and opportunity for all, not just the privileged few."
