British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation, bringing to an end a turbulent period that saw him come under growing pressure from within his own Labour Party less than two years after leading it back to power.
Starmer confirmed on Monday that he would step down as both Prime Minister and Labour Party leader but remain in office until a successor is chosen.
His resignation follows months of declining popularity, poor election results and growing discontent among Labour lawmakers, many of whom had openly questioned his ability to lead the party into the next General Election.
In an emotional address outside Downing Street, Starmer said he accepted the judgement of his colleagues and would support whoever succeeds him.
“When I leave the biggest job in the country, I shall spend more time on the most important job, being the best husband I can and the best dad I can,” he said.
The resignation opens the door to a fresh leadership contest within Labour, with former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham emerging as the frontrunner to replace him.
If Burnham takes over, Britain will have had its seventh Prime Minister in just over a decade, underlining the political instability that has persisted since the Brexit era.
Starmer swept to power in the 2024 election after ending 14 years of Conservative rule, but his government struggled to maintain public support amid economic challenges and internal party divisions.
His departure now sets the stage for another major political transition in one of Kenya’s key diplomatic and economic partners.