Starmer (Image: Getty)
Prime Minister Keir Starmer became emotional as he announced he is to resign as Prime Minister on Monday. The Labour leader confirmed his decision during an address to the nation outside No 10 Downing Street, bringing an end to a premiership that lasted 23 months and 17 days.
As he brought his statement to a close, Sir Keir’s voice appeared to shake with emotion as he thanked his family for their support and reflected on becoming Prime Minister. He told the nation: “Walking up this street two years ago was the proudest moment of my life. A new Labour government, the first in 14 years, a page in our country’s history turned after years of disappointment and despair, the chance to change the lives of millions of people for the better, that’s what I came into politics for the journey to that point was not easy.” He revealed that he had informed King Charles of his decision and pledged his full support to whoever succeeds him as Labour leader and Prime Minister.
After handing over power, Sir Keir said he would focus on being the best father and husband he could be, describing his wife Vic as “a rock by my side through good times and bad” and his children as “my pride and joy”.
His departure follows days of speculation about his future, with reports suggesting he spent the weekend discussing his position with his wife and family.
Pressure had been mounting within Labour for months, with around 100 of the party’s 403 MPs reportedly calling for him to step down.
The situation intensified following Andy Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield by-election, which saw the Greater Manchester Mayor return to Parliament after nine years away from Westminster.
Mr Starmer has faced a series of challenges during his time in office, including the fallout from the Autumn Budget, the Mandelson affair and Labour’s disastrous local election results.
Discontent among both party members and voters came to a head last month when Labour lost more than 1,400 council seats across England, with Reform UK making significant gains.
Get the latest politics news – straight from our team in Westminster and more
Invalid email
You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info.
Sir Keir Starmer and wife Lady Victoria after his resignation announcement outside No 10 (Image: James Veysey/Shutterstock)
Defending his record in office, Sir Keir said: “Six years ago, I inherited a Labour Party that was politically, financially, and morally bankrupt.”
He added: “I was told time and time again that my party was finished, that we were consigned to history,” but insisted Labour had “proved those people wrong” after returning to government in 2024.
Attention is now turning to who could succeed him, with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham widely regarded as the frontrunner after returning to Parliament in the Makerfield by-election.
In his resignation address, Sir Keir reflected on Labour’s return to power, describing it as “the chance to change the lives of millions of people for the better”.
He also highlighted what he viewed as some of his key achievements in office, including supporting Ukraine, rebuilding Britain’s relationships with allies and helping to lift thousands of children out of poverty.
The press outside No.10 on Monday morning (Image: Getty Images)
Following his announcement, Sir Keir is expected to formally tender his resignation to the King and remain in Downing Street in a caretaker capacity until a successor is chosen.
There will be no General Election as a result of his departure.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is widely regarded as the frontrunner after returning to Parliament through the Makerfield by-election.
After finishing his speech, Sir Keir embraced his wife, Lady Victoria Starmer, outside No 10 as members of his team gathered to applaud and cheer.
A new Labour leader is expected to be chosen before Parliament returns from its summer recess in September.
Keir Starmer on the Verge of Tears as He Resigns as Prime Minister in Emotional Speech
Keir Starmer delivered an emotional farewell outside 10 Downing Street on 22 June 2026, announcing that he would step down as leader of the Labour Party after losing the support needed to lead it into the next general election. His voice faltered as he thanked his wife, Victoria, and their children, marking a deeply personal moment at the end of a turbulent period in British politics. <Cite refs={[“turn639660search1″,”turn639660search2”]}/>
The announcement followed months of political pressure, internal party disagreements and concerns about Labour’s declining public support. Starmer had entered Downing Street in July 2024 following Labour’s landslide election victory, promising to restore stability, improve public services and rebuild trust in government. Less than two years later, however, he faced the prospect of leaving office before completing the parliamentary term.
Standing outside his official residence, Starmer reflected on the significance of becoming prime minister and defended the record of his government. He highlighted economic performance, investment, workers’ rights, NHS waiting times and defence spending, arguing that his administration had made progress despite difficult circumstances. These were his assessments of the government’s achievements, delivered as he prepared to hand power to a successor. <Cite refs={[“turn639660search0″,”turn639660search4”]}/>
The most emotional moment came towards the end of his speech, when he turned his attention from politics to his family. His voice cracked as he spoke about his wife, describing her as a source of support through good times and bad. He also expressed his desire to spend more time being a devoted husband and father.
The moment offered a rare glimpse of the personal costs of political leadership. For years, Starmer had been criticised by some observers for his reserved public manner. His farewell, however, revealed the emotional weight of leaving the country’s highest political office after a period of intense scrutiny.
Starmer’s departure also opened the door to a leadership transition within Labour. Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, emerged as the leading figure in the succession debate after returning to Parliament through a by-election victory in Makerfield. Burnham subsequently prepared to take over the leadership as Labour sought to recover public confidence and establish a new political direction. <Cite refs={[“turn639660search2″,”turn639660search7”]}/>
The resignation carried wider consequences for British politics. Opposition leaders immediately questioned whether a new prime minister should take office without a fresh general election, while Labour faced the challenge of demonstrating that a change of leadership could deliver meaningful improvements in the country’s economic and social conditions.
Ultimately, Starmer’s farewell was both a political turning point and a personal moment. His resignation reflected the realities of parliamentary leadership, where the confidence of a governing party can prove decisive even after a substantial electoral victory. As he prepared to leave Downing Street, his message was one of gratitude, reflection and a commitment to an orderly transfer of power.
His emotional final words did not erase the controversies of his premiership, nor did they settle the debate over his record. They did, however, mark the end of a chapter in Britain’s political history and the beginning of a new test for Labour under its incoming leadership.