♦ British Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer on 22 June 2026 announced that he would step down, paving the way for Britain to have its seventh leader in 10 years.

♦ Starmer, who led Labour to a landslide election victory in July 2024, defended his record in office and said his overriding goal had been to build a fairer Britain.

♦ His resignation follows months of mounting pressure from within Labour, with critics questioning the direction of the government and its ability to retain public support.

♦ Political observers had increasingly viewed his position as untenable amid declining confidence among MPs.