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Keir Starmer resigns as UK prime minister, labour leader

By Sohrab Sarwari

Jun 22, 2026 - 14:11

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KABUL (Pajhwok): UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as prime minister and leader of the Labour Party on Monday, the BBC reported.

In a statement outside 10 Downing Street, Starmer said every decision he had made in office was based on “putting the country I love first.”

Starmer said he had informed King Charles III of his decision and would remain in office until the Labour Party selects a new leader.

He asked the party’s governing body, the National Executive Committee, to set a timetable for the leadership contest, with nominations expected to open on July 9 and the process completed before the summer recess.

The Labour Party is expected to have a new leader before Parliament returns in September.

Meanwhile, Andy Burnham, a potential successor to Starmer, is due to arrive in Westminster to be sworn in as the MP for Makerfield after winning a by-election last week.

Starmer became Labour leader in 2020 and led the party back to government after winning the 2024 general election.

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