Starmer says he'll resign as UK prime minister with Burnham confirming he will try to succeed him

(22 Jun 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS London, United Kingdom - 22 June 2026 ++INCLUDES CUTAWAYS++ 1. SOUNDBITE (English) Jill Lawless, Associated Press: "UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that he'll resign, just two years after winning a landslide election victory. He becomes the sixth British Prime Minister in a decade to quit, an extraordinary level of churn in a country long known for political stability. In an emotional statement here in Downing Street, Starmer said he accepted that the Labor Party no longer thinks he's the right person to lead it. The party will now choose a new leader who will also become Prime Minister within weeks. Nominations open on the 9th of July, they close a week later, and the new leader will be in office by September 1st. It could also happen a lot quicker than that. The leading contender to replace Starmer is the ex-Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who last week won a special election for a seat in Parliament with the express purpose of coming to London to challenge Keir Starmer. There's enormous enthusiasm among labor lawmakers for Burnham because they are desperate for a charismatic leader who can reverse the party's failing fortunes. The chances of a Burnham coronation, rather than a competition, increased on Monday when Wes Streeting, the former Health Secretary, announced that he won't run against him. If no one else throws their hat into the ring, Andy Burnham could be in Downing Street by the middle of July." 2. Various establishing shots of Downing Street 3. Various shots of international media gathered outside Downing Street 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Jill Lawless, Associated Press: "Keir Starmer took office, promising economic growth and political stability after 14 turbulent years of Conservative rule. He's failed to deliver on either front. The economy remains sluggish. He made a series of political missteps over issues including welfare reform. And disastrously, he appointed Peter Mandelson, a friend of Jeffrey Epstein, as Britain's ambassador to Washington. Disastrous results for Labor in local elections last month were the final straw for Labor lawmakers who began demanding in droves that Starmer step down. The upshot is yet another early departure for a British leader." 4. Various shots of the scene at Downing Street after Starmer’s resignation 5. Street scenes of London 6. Protesters gather outside Downing Street 7. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy talks to the media STORYLINE: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday he will resign, forced out by his own party after missteps and mistakes soured voters’ goodwill following a landslide election victory two years ago on a promise of steady leadership and economic growth. Starmer said he will remain caretaker prime minister until his Labour Party chooses a new leader — with expectations growing that it will be former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. Burnham confirmed on social media that “I will put myself forward as part of this process.” Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who was considered his main rival for the top job, said he will back Burnham. It was Burnham's victory in a special parliamentary election last week that triggered Starmer's decision to resign. After nearly a decade out of Parliament as the mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham returns to Westminster and will be sworn in as a lawmaker later on Monday. Only members of Parliament can stand for the party leadership. Streeting's statement makes it more likely that Burnham will be selected without a leadership contest. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...