Live: British PM Sir Keir Starmer to make announcement on future

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced he has quit as leader of the Labour party and will stay on as PM until a new leader is chosen.

Follow the latest updates live.

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Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 7:33pm

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 7:33pm

Opposition leader piles on PM

Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the UK's opposition Conservative Party, says Sir Keir has been a "terrible prime minister" and that the country is "not ungovernable".

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 7:25pm

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 7:25pm

PM's resignation continues revolving door at Downing Street

By Riley Stuart in London

I know Australians have over the past two decades been no strangers to changes at the top of their government, but the UK really takes the cake these days.

Since David Cameron resigned in June 2016, Britain has burned through leaders. Whoever takes over from Sir Keir Starmer will be the country's seventh PM in just over 10 years.

It's slightly more than Canberra's Rudd-Gillard-Rudd-Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison period, in which Australia had six different PMs in just over eight years from June 2010.

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 7:24pm

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 7:24pm

📸 Another pic from Sir Keir's speech

By Riley Stuart in London

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 7:19pm

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 7:19pm

Anthony Albanese says Sir Keir can be 'proud' of his contribution

By Nelli Saarinen

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says he is thinking of Keir Starmer "on what must be a very tough day" and wishes him well "with everything the future holds".

"Serving in public life is a tremendous privilege but politics can also be a harsh business," Albanese wrote in a post on social media.

"When the time comes for Keir to leave Downing Street, he can be proud of the contribution he has made to the country he loves and to the Labour Party that he led back to Government in 2024."

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 7:07pm

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 7:07pm

📸 Victoria Starmer comforts her husband

By Nelli Saarinen

Sir Keir embraced his wife Victoria after his resignation speech.

He thanked his wife for being his biggest supporter.

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 7:01pm

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 7:01pm

🎥 WATCH: Sir Keir's full resignation speech

By Nelli Saarinen

Watch Sir Keir Starmer's full speech outside 10 Downing Street, as he tells reporters the job of prime minister has been the "proudest moment of his life" and announces his resignation.

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 6:56pm

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 6:56pm

Key points from Sir Keir's speech

By Riley Stuart in London

The British PM spoke for about five minutes. Here's the main points.

Let's start with what he said about the process to replace him:

He is resigning but not leaving office immediately.

He is going to ask Labour's national executive committee to open nominations for his replacement from July 9, so they can be completed by parliament's summer recess later that month (July 23).

If there's a leadership contest (which there may well be), Sir Keir says a new leader would be in place by the time parliament resumes on September 1.

Sir Keir said being PM had been the proudest moment of his life, and listed several achievements:

He points out the economy is stronger than when he came to power.

He also highlights the fact NHS waiting lists have decreased (the NHS is Britain's public health system).

He says his government has made things easier for workers and renters.

The PM also spoke about immigration. Net migration to the UK has decreased dramatically in the two years since Labour came to power.

The PM thanked his wife, children, friends and staff:

He said: "When I leave the biggest job in the country, I shall spend more time in the most important job, being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife, Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad, and being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and my joy."

Key Event

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 6:41pm

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 6:41pm

Sir Keir thanks family, colleagues and finishes speaking

By Riley Stuart in London

Sir Keir thanked his wife, who he says has been his biggest supporter, and his children, as well as others.

He became a little emotional when he did that.

And then, he finished speaking, posed for a few pictures with his wife, and walked back into Number 10.

I'll go through the speech a little more closely now for you.

Key Event

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 6:38pm

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 6:38pm

Sir Keir wants 'orderly' transition of power

By Riley Stuart in London

Sir Keir says there will be an "orderly" transition of leadership. He wants a new PM to be in place when parliament resumes in September, after a summer recess.

Labour MPs who want his job can nominate from July 9 he said.

Key Event

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 6:35pm

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 6:35pm

British PM announces resignation

By Riley Stuart in London

Sir Keir has announced his resignation.

"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 to that question. I accept that answer with good grace.

"Every decision I've taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party."

Sir Keir says he told King Charles about his decision this morning.

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 6:33pm

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 6:33pm

British PM Starmer says job has been 'proudest moment of his life'

By Riley Stuart in London

Sir Keir has described becoming PM as "the proudest moment of his life".

He said he came into politics to "change the lives of millions of people for the better".

"Look at what we've achieved in just two years," he says, before listing his government's achievements. I'll unpack those a little later for you.

Key Event

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 6:30pm

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 6:30pm

Sir Keir has walked out of 10 Downing Street

By Riley Stuart in London

He is speaking now.

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 6:30pm

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 6:30pm

Announcement expected imminently

By Mazoe Ford

The lectern is out, speakers and mics have been set up and we're hearing an announcement is imminent.

Standing with Sir Keir's staff are several loyal MPs. His Deputy PM David Lammy and Chief Secretary Darren Jones are among them.

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 6:25pm

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 6:25pm

Starmer's staff are making their way on to Downing Street

By Riley Stuart in London

A large group of them are now, standing near the lecturn.

That's about the most clear sign you can get as to what's coming.

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 6:22pm

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 6:22pm

📸 Scenes at 10 Downing Street

By Mazoe Ford

There's a huge press pack here at 10 Downing Street expecting an announcement shortly.

A lecturn has already been put on the street.

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 6:20pm

Mon 22 Jun 2026 at 6:20pm

British PM to speak shortly

By Riley Stuart in London

Good morning from Westminster, London.

We're expecting British Prime Minsiter Sir Keir Starmer to make a statement shortly.

He won a general election with a significant majority less than two years ago.

However, since then, his approval ratings have reached historic lows, and he has been under pressure to resign.

I'll take you through all the developments as they happen.