Sir Keir Starmer announced on June 22 (local time), that he would step down as leader of the Labour Party, poised to become the sixth British prime minister to resign over the past decade.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer makes a statement on his future outside 10 Downing Street in London on the morning of June 22, 2026.
His decision to step down comes amid mounting criticism targeting his government's immigration and energy policies, intensifying internal party pressure, and the fallout of the scandal centering on former UK ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson and his ties to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Starmer's looming departure adds to a turbulent decade in British politics, marked by Brexit upheaval, economic volatility, and repeated leadership crises. Below is a timeline of prime ministerial exits since 2016:
June 24, 2016: David Cameron announced his resignation as prime minister following the UK's referendum vote to leave the European Union, a result that went against his Remain campaign.
June 7, 2019: Theresa May resigned as Conservative leader after Parliament repeatedly rejected her Brexit withdrawal deal. She formally stepped down as prime minister the following month.
Theresa May, then prime minister, leaves 10 Downing Street for her final PMQs in July 2019.
July 7, 2022: Boris Johnson resigned as Conservative leader and prime minister after a series of crises, including the "Partygate" scandal over gatherings held during COVID-19 lockdowns, heavy electoral losses for his party, and controversy over his handling of misconduct allegations involving a senior party figure.
October 20, 2022: Liz Truss resigned as Conservative leader and prime minister just 45 days into her tenure, after her proposed mini-budget of unfunded tax cuts triggered a meltdown in UK financial markets.
July 5, 2024: Rishi Sunak announced his resignation as Conservative leader and prime minister after his party suffered a crushing defeat in the general election held the previous day.
June 22, 2026: Keir Starmer said he would step down as Labour leader, citing sustained criticism over migration and energy policy, the Mandelson-Epstein controversy, and growing "mutiny" within his own parliamentary party.
There is no fixed timeline for Starmer's formal departure as prime minister, but Labour is expected to begin a leadership contest in the coming weeks. Under British constitutional practice, Starmer will serve as a caretaker prime minister until his party elects a successor.
Andy Burnham, former Greater Manchester mayor, who recently won a by-election in Makerfield to return to Westminster, has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Starmer.
Andy Burnham, Labour MP for Makerfield, celebrates after being sworn in at the Houses of Parliament on June 22, 2026, in London, England.
The so-called "King of the North" declared his intention to stand on the same day Starmer resigned, while his main rival, former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, has since ruled himself out and thrown his support behind Burnham.
Reporter: Guo Zedong
Photo: CFP
