Keir Starmer Resigns After Shortest Labour Premiership in History

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to officially resign on Monday, July 20, 2026, concluding a premiership of 745 days. While his tenure exceeded those of recent Conservative predecessors like Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss, Starmer exits as the shortest-serving Labour prime minister in history. His departure follows internal party pressure and a decline in public support after poor local election results in May.

During his final Prime Minister's Questions session on July 15, Starmer defended his economic record and declared the end of his political journey. The session was marked by tension, as Starmer's claims of leaving the country in better shape were met with heckling from Conservatives. He also drew a sharp rebuke from Jeremy Corbyn after claiming the Labour Party had been institutionally antisemitic under Corbyn's leadership.

Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch praised Starmer's support for Ukraine but cautioned that changing prime ministers is not a silver bullet for the party's troubles. Starmer will formally announce his resignation to King Charles III at Buckingham Palace and intends to remain a backbench lawmaker.

Andy Burnham is expected to be confirmed as Labour leader on Friday before assuming the premiership on Monday. Burnham is currently finalizing his Cabinet, with reports of internal conflict over the appointment of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.