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On 22 June, Keir Starmer announced his resignation as UK Prime minister and leader of the Labour Party. The combination of unpopularity, scandals and a historic defeat in last May local elections proved too much for Sir Keir, who had managed to recapture 10 Downing Street for Labour in 2024 after 14 years of Conservative rule, and secure his party an overwhelming parliamentary majority. Including Starmer, Larry, the house cat at 10 Downing Street, has therefore seen six different heads of government come and go since he "took up his post" in 2011.
Andy Burnham, Starmer’s populist and regional rival within the Labour Party, is strongly tipped to be the successor. The Mayor of Greater Manchester and former minister recently emerged from a resounding by-election victory in the Makerfield constituency with a parliamentary seat, a prerequisite for standing as leader of the Labour Party. His success is all the more noteworthy given that he was up against the rising far-right Reform UK.
If Burnham is the only candidate to stand, he could become Prime Minister in mid-July. Otherwise, he will have to face a leadership contest.
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