London, Jun 22: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday announced that he is stepping down as leader of the governing Labour Party but will continue to serve as caretaker prime minister until a new leader is elected in the coming weeks.
Starmer said he would remain in office in an interim capacity to ensure continuity of government until the Labour Party selects his successor. The leadership transition follows mounting internal pressure within the party amid declining public support.
He assumed office after leading Labour to a landslide victory in the July 2024 general election. However, reports indicate that both his personal approval ratings and the party’s popularity have fallen sharply over the past two years.
His resignation as party leader comes after the reported victory of Andy Burnham in a special internal election last week. Burnham, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester, was expected to mount a challenge for the Labour leadership.
Starmer’s decision marks a major political shift in the UK, with the Labour Party now set to begin the process of electing a new leader while the government continues under his interim leadership. (Agencies)
