LONDON, June 22. /TASS/. Keir Starmer has said that he is stepping down as leader of Britain’s ruling Labour Party and will also resign as prime minister in early September, after his successor is elected.
TASS has gathered the key information on the matter.
Starmer’s statement
- Starmer said he had decided to step down.
- According to him, he will continue to serve as British prime minister until his successor is elected.
- Starmer added that he had informed British King Charles III of his resignation as Labour Party leader.
- He also said the process to elect a new party leader would begin on July 9, adding that he would not contest the position.
- Starmer stated that nominations were expected to be completed by the summer recess.
Handover of power
- The political team has begun handing over power to the team of House of Commons member Andy Burnham, which could signal a transition, The Guardian reported, citing sources.
- The newspaper points out, however, that the current head of government has not spoken to Burnham after the latter won a House of Commons by-election despite publicly announcing plans for such a conversation.
Potential successor
- Talk of Starmer’s resignation increased after Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester mayor and Labour Party member, won the June 18 parliamentary by-election.
- The win makes it possible for Burnham to challenge Starmer, who lost support from the party’s left wing.
- As only a member of parliament can become party leader, Burnham first needed to win a seat in the House of Commons before launching a leadership challenge and a bid for the premiership.
- According to media estimates, Burnham has the backing of at least half of the Labour faction in the House of Commons.
- If Burnham wins the internal party contest, he would automatically become prime minister, as Labour is currently the ruling party.
- British media outlets note that the key question is whether an election will be held for Starmer’s successor or Burnham will take the prime minister’s post without opposition.
Resignation details
- The Observer newspaper reported on June 21, citing sources, that Starmer might announce his resignation as early as June 22.
- According to the paper, otherwise, he could be publicly requested to leave the post at a cabinet meeting on June 23.
- Starmer plans to determine a timeframe after his resignation to ensure an orderly transfer of power, The Observer added.
- He is likely to formally step down in September ahead of a Labour Party congress.
- The Guardian pointed out that such a scenario would suit Burnham who needs time to form his political team.
- A political crisis broke out in the United Kingdom after the May 7 local elections.
- Following the elections, the Labour Party for the first time lost control of the Welsh Parliament.
- The number of Labour Party representatives in various legislatures dropped by 1,400.
- Starmer accepted responsibility for the election failure but refused to resign as party leader and prime minister.
- About 100 Labour Party members in the House of Commons publicly demanded his resignation.
- According to The Guardian, many influential Cabinet members held private conversations with Starmer over the weekend, also recommending that he step down.