Keir Starmer announces his resignation as prime minister and leader of Labour Party

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

Speaking outside Downing Street, he said: “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 thoroughly bankrupt.

“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.”

Announcing his resignation, Starmer 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.

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

He asked Labour’s governing body to set out a timetable to replace him, beginning on July 9, and ending by the summer recess to “ensure a new leader is in place before Parliament returns in September”.