British PM Keir Starmer announces resignation

Facing severe political pressure, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation from both the premiership and his position as leader of the ruling Labour Party.

Amid cheers and applause from onlookers, Starmer emerged from 10 Downing Street alongside his wife to deliver his resignation speech to the public.

His departure paves the way for an orderly transition of power to his party rival, Andy Burnham. With this transition, the United Kingdom is set to appoint its seventh prime minister within a decade.

According to Reuters, Starmer had promised to end years of political instability in the UK following a landslide victory in the 2024 general election. However, his resignation comes less than two years into his term, leaving that promise unfulfilled.

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Pressure on Prime Minister Starmer had been mounting for several months. The situation intensified significantly last Friday when Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, won a crucial parliamentary by-election by a landslide margin, securing his return to the House of Commons.

Burnham’s decisive victory has injected fresh hope into Labour lawmakers. Many within the party believe that Burnham, a renowned orator, is the leader capable of reviving the fortunes of the Labour Party, which had been steadily losing public support under Starmer's leadership