British prime minister says he has lost the confidence of Labour lawmakers and will remain in office until a successor is elected.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday that he is stepping down as leader of the Labour Party and head of government after acknowledging that he no longer has the confidence of his parliamentary caucus to continue governing.

RELATED: Iran Walks Out of Switzerland Talks After Trump’s New Threats

Speaking outside Downing Street, Starmer said he had informed King Charles III of his decision and pledged to oversee an “orderly” transition of power.

The resignation follows mounting pressure from Labour ministers and members of Parliament after the party’s setback in local and regional elections on May 7. The leadership crisis was further intensified by the recent electoral victory of Starmer’s internal rival, Andy Burnham, who won the parliamentary seat of Makerfield.

“Every decision I have made has been by putting first the country I want. That is why I will step down as leader of the Labour Party,” Starmer said.

Starmer, who took office with an absolute parliamentary majority in July 2024, pointed to what he described as major achievements of his administration, including eliminating antisemitism within the Labour Party and restoring economic confidence. He nevertheless acknowledged that the question of whether he could continue leading the party into the next general election in 2029 had a clear answer: he should leave office.

To avoid a power vacuum, Starmer said he will remain in office until a successor is chosen. The Labour Party’s National Executive Committee is scheduled to begin the leadership contest on July 9.

Before the resignation was announced, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on social media that Starmer would leave office because of what he described as two major policy failures.

“He will resign as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He failed miserably on two crucial issues: immigration and energy,” Trump wrote.

The new Labour leader is expected to assume office in September, before Parliament resumes its sessions.

Burnham, the former mayor of Manchester, has confirmed that he will seek the party leadership. According to the information released, he has the backing of at least 200 members of Parliament, well above the minimum requirement of 81 nominations.

Starmer said he would give “my full support” to whoever is elected to lead the Labour Party and the British government.

IN THIS ARTICLE