By: Odeh Favour Adiya
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and leader of the Labour Party, Keir Starmer, has resigned from his position.
The British leader made the announcement in an official statement delivered outside 10 Downing Street on Monday. Reflecting on his time in power, Starmer defended his record, stating, “Every decision I’ve taken has been about putting the country I love first. That’s why I will resign as leader of the Labour party.”
Turning to his personal life, an emotional Starmer expressed deep appreciation to his family for standing by him through the pressures of leadership. He specially thanked his “wife, Vic”, calling her a “rock”, and emotionally added that he wants to be the “best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and joy”.
Before making the news public, the outgoing Prime Minister reached out to the monarchy to formalize his exit. He spoke with the King via a telephone call to officially inform him of his resignation.
Starmer has promised that he will not leave the country in a leadership vacuum. He assured the public that he will do everything within his power to ensure an orderly and peaceful handover of authority, promising to extend his full support to whoever emerges as his successor.
Defending the legacy of his administration, Starmer maintained that his team left the United Kingdom in a much better shape than they met it. “They know,” he said, “that they are inheriting a Britain that is stronger and fairer than two years ago.”
He also took out time to express gratitude to his inner circle and the public servants who kept the wheels of government turning, thanking his friends and colleagues who have been by his side for six years, alongside the No10 staff and the “extraordinary civil service”.
Meanwhile, political alignment has already begun in Westminster to fill the vacant seat. Andy Burnham, who is currently considered the frontrunner to replace Starmer, will be in Westminster today to be sworn in as MP for Makerfield after winning the bye-election last week.
