Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has called for an immediate general election following Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's announcement that he will resign. Speaking on social media platform X, Farage declared: "Reform demands an election, and we are ready to deliver radical change. If Labour thinks it can shove another professional politician into No 10, it has another thing coming."
Starmer's Resignation
Sir Keir Starmer informed King Charles III of his resignation in a phone call this morning. The King was at his Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire when he received the call from the outgoing Labour leader. Starmer appeared emotional as he thanked his wife, Victoria, for her support, describing being prime minister as the "proudest moment of my life."
In his resignation speech, Starmer acknowledged the question being asked: "whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election?" He stated that the answer from the parliamentary party led him to "resign as leader of the Labour Party."
Leadership Timetable
Starmer said he would do all he can to ensure an "orderly" transition of power and has asked Labour's governing body to set out a timetable to replace him. The timetable is expected to begin on July 9 and conclude by the summer recess to "ensure a new leader is in place before Parliament returns in September."
A Labour spokesperson confirmed: "Following the prime minister's announcement today that he intends to resign as leader of the Labour Party, Labour's ruling body, the National Executive Committee, will shortly agree a timetable for the election of the next Leader of the Labour Party. Further details of the Leadership election will be communicated in due course."
Andy Burnham's Rise
After winning the Makerfield by-election, Andy Burnham will be sworn in as the Greater Manchester constituency's MP. Starmer's resignation appears to have cleared the way for Burnham's bid to become the UK's seventh prime minister in a decade.
