UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce his resignation, according to multiple reports, as the Labour Party confronts a deepening leadership crisis. The move would cap a turbulent period for the government and set off a contest to choose a new party leader and prime minister.
What triggered the crisis
The exact reasons behind the expected resignation remain unclear, but the Labour Party has been grappling with internal divisions and a loss of confidence from key factions. The leadership crisis has been building for weeks, with backbench MPs openly calling for a change at the top. Starmer's office has not commented on the reports.
What comes next
If Starmer steps down, Labour will hold an emergency leadership election. The rules for such a contest are set by the party's National Executive Committee. A caretaker leader may be appointed temporarily, though no names have been floated publicly. The opposition parties are already positioning themselves for a potential general election, though no date has been set.
The resignation, if confirmed, would mark the end of Starmer's tenure as both party leader and prime minister. He took office after Labour's landslide victory in the 2024 general election, but his time in Downing Street has been marked by economic challenges and internal strife.
Labour MPs are expected to meet in the coming days to discuss the path forward. A formal announcement could come as early as this week.
