Keir Starmer Resigns As UK Prime Minister Amid Pressure From Labour Party

London: Keir Starmer on Monday resigned as UK Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party, stating that there was a question within his party whether he was the right person to lead the party into the next general election. 

What did Keir Starmer say?

Before delivering his resignation statement, Starmer stepped out of 10 Downing Street with his wife, receiving cheers and applause. In his address, he said that "Every decision I have taken is about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign."

Starmer said that he has received his party's answer and he respectfully accepts it. He said that now the time has come for a new leader to take charge of the party and lead it towards the next election. 

Starmer is the sixth PM to leave office before the completion of his term in the last 10 years. Before this, David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak could not complete their term.

Why did Keir Starmer resign?

Keir Starmer in a statement said that "I will resign as leader of the Labour Party." 

"There was a question within my party as to whether I would lead it into the next election. The parliamentary party had doubts about my leadership. People felt I would not be successful," he said.

Starmer further said, "I have rooted out anti-Semitism. I have prioritized national security and the economy. When I was appointed Prime Minister two years ago, it was a proud moment for me."

What will happen next?

The Labour Party will meet to elect its new leader. Burnham, who recently won the election, is the frontrunner for prime minister. He has the declared support of 100 MPs.