Sir Keir Starmer resigns as Prime Minister as Andy Burnham set to step up

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Sir Keir Starmer has resigned as Prime Minister after facing increasing pressure from within the Labour Party
Sir Keir said becoming PM has been the ‘proudest moment of my life’
Sir Keir became emotional as he thanked his wife Victoria for her support at the end of his speech
Andy Burnham has announced he will stand to replace Sir Keir as Labour leader
Former health secretary Wes Streeting and potential leadership contender has said he will back Burnham
The former mayor of Greater Manchester is set to return to Westminster as an MP on Monday
Burnham won a resounding victory at the Makerfield byelection increasing Labour’s vote by almost 10%

Sir Keir Starmer has announced his resignation outside Downing Street.

He said becoming Prime Minister was the “proudest moment of my life”.

Sir Keir became emotional as he thanked his wife, Victoria, for her support at the end of his speech.

It comes as Andy Burnham is to return to Westminster on Monday, having won the Makerfield byelection.

The former mayor of Greater Manchester announced he will stand to replace Sir Keir.

Former health secretary Wes Streeting and potential leadership contender has said he will back Burnham

Burnham will be sworn in as an MP after increasing Labour’s share of the vote in the constituency by 9.61%.

Sir Keir had spent the weekend considering his position, according to reports.

Members of his Cabinet, including foreign secretary Yvette Cooper, had told him to set out a timetable for his departure.

Announcing his resignation, Sir Keir said: “The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election.

“I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.

“Every decision I have taken has been about putting the country I love first.

Newly elected Member of Parliament Andy Burnham. Getty Images

“That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party.”

Sir Keir has said that becoming Prime Minister was the “proudest moment of my life”.

“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.

“Six years ago, I inherited a Labour Party that was politically, financially, and morally bankrupt.

Sir Keir became emotional as he thanked his wife Victoria for her support at the end of his speech Getty Images

“I was told time and time again that my party was finished, that we were consigned to history, that a majority at the general election, let alone a landslide majority, was impossible, but we proved those people wrong, because we changed our party, ripping out the poison of antisemitism, restoring trust on the economy, defence, and national security, and becoming a party that once again stood proudly with, not against, our national flag.”

Sir Keir said he will spend more time being the “best husband” and “best dad” after his resignation.

“I want to thank the brilliant Number 10 staff and our country’s extraordinary Civil Service who dedicate their lives to public service,” he said.

“And 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 to my fantastic wife, Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad, and being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and my joy.”