Keir Starmer announced Monday he is stepping down as Britain’s prime minister, yielding to intense pressure from his own lawmakers and setting the country on the path for a sixth leader in seven years.

It follows disastrous results for his party in May’s local elections, where the hard-right Reform UK party make huge gains. The Conservative Party — the other half of the duopoly that has dominated British politics for more than a century — also lost hundreds of seats.

Starmer became prime minister in 2024 after the Labour Party won the general election in a landslide, ending a 14-year era of Conservative rule.

Once a leading human-rights lawyer, Starmer became director of public prosecutions in 2008, running the Crown Prosecution Service of England and Wales ­­— a high-profile job for which he was knighted, making him the first-ever Labour leader to enter the job with the prefix Sir to their name.

Starmer, as director of public prosecutions, makes a statement to the media in London in 2010. He was later knighted for the job he did running the Crown Prosecution Service of England and Wales.
Starmer, as director of public prosecutions, makes a statement to the media in London in 2010. He was later knighted for the job he did running the Crown Prosecution Service of England and Wales.
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Starmer arrives at London's High Court in 2012 to give evidence at the Leveson Inquiry, which looked into the culture, practices and ethics of the media.
Starmer arrives at London's High Court in 2012 to give evidence at the Leveson Inquiry, which looked into the culture, practices and ethics of the media.
Chris Helgren/Reuters
Starmer, right, campaigns for Parliament in April 2015. He was the Labour Party candidate in the London constituency of Holborn and St Pancras. He was elected the next month.
Starmer, right, campaigns for Parliament in April 2015. He was the Labour Party candidate in the London constituency of Holborn and St Pancras. He was elected the next month.
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Starmer appears on "The Andrew Marr Show" with then-Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in 2016. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn made Starmer the party's shadow Brexit spokesperson following the 2016 referendum. In the UK, the main opposition party has "shadow" ministers who hold political portfolios.
Starmer appears on "The Andrew Marr Show" with then-Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson in 2016. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn made Starmer the party's shadow Brexit spokesperson following the 2016 referendum. In the UK, the main opposition party has "shadow" ministers who hold political portfolios.
Victoria Jones/PA Images/Getty Images
Starmer delivers a speech at Chatham House in London in March 2017, just before Prime Minister Theresa May sent a letter to European Union leaders to announce the start of departure negotiations. "While Labour did not support leaving the European Union and I campaigned passionately against it, we have accepted that that choice was made and that it will now be delivered," Starmer said while laying out the party's vision for the future.
Starmer delivers a speech at Chatham House in London in March 2017, just before Prime Minister Theresa May sent a letter to European Union leaders to announce the start of departure negotiations. "While Labour did not support leaving the European Union and I campaigned passionately against it, we have accepted that that choice was made and that it will now be delivered," Starmer said while laying out the party's vision for the future.
Jason Alden/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Starmer campaigns with Labour's Nia Griffith in Pembrey, Wales, in May 2017. Both were re-elected to Parliament.
Starmer campaigns with Labour's Nia Griffith in Pembrey, Wales, in May 2017. Both were re-elected to Parliament.
Geoff Caddick/AFP/Getty Images
Starmer addresses the Labour Party Conference in Brighton, England, in September 2017.
Starmer addresses the Labour Party Conference in Brighton, England, in September 2017.
Gareth Fuller/PA Images/Getty Images
Starmer tours the technology training facility at Birmingham City University in Birmingham, England, in March 2018.
Starmer tours the technology training facility at Birmingham City University in Birmingham, England, in March 2018.
Darren Staples/Reuters
Starmer signs a poster for a delegate during the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, England, in September 2018.
Starmer signs a poster for a delegate during the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool, England, in September 2018.
Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images
Starmer, left, and then-Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn leave together after a meeting with the European Union's chief Brexit negotiator in Brussels, Belgium, in March 2019.
Starmer, left, and then-Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn leave together after a meeting with the European Union's chief Brexit negotiator in Brussels, Belgium, in March 2019.
Yves Herman/Reuters
Starmer addresses an audience in Harlow, England, in November 2019.
Starmer addresses an audience in Harlow, England, in November 2019.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
From right, Labour leadership candidates Starmer, Lisa Nandy, Emily Thornberry, Jess Phillips and Rebecca Long-Bailey debate one another in Liverpool in January 2020.
From right, Labour leadership candidates Starmer, Lisa Nandy, Emily Thornberry, Jess Phillips and Rebecca Long-Bailey debate one another in Liverpool in January 2020.
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Starmer meets nurses during a visit to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, England, in February 2020.
Starmer meets nurses during a visit to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, England, in February 2020.
Joe Giddens/PA Images/Getty Images
Starmer attends a rally in London in February 2020. He would go on to be elected Labour leader, succeeding Corbyn.
Starmer attends a rally in London in February 2020. He would go on to be elected Labour leader, succeeding Corbyn.
Hollie Adams/Getty Images
Starmer, front left, attends a hybrid Parliament session in London in April 2020.
Starmer, front left, attends a hybrid Parliament session in London in April 2020.
Jessica Taylor/UK Parliament/Reuters
Starmer and his wife, Victoria, applaud essential workers outside their home in London in May 2020. This was during the first few months of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Starmer and his wife, Victoria, applaud essential workers outside their home in London in May 2020. This was during the first few months of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Starmer speaks with nurses and midwives during a visit to the Whittington Hospital in London in March 2021.
Starmer speaks with nurses and midwives during a visit to the Whittington Hospital in London in March 2021.
Leon Neal/Getty Images
Starmer visits the Vulcan Boxing Club in Hull, England, during a campaign stop in April 2021.
Starmer visits the Vulcan Boxing Club in Hull, England, during a campaign stop in April 2021.
Owen Humphreys/Getty Images
Starmer and London Mayor Sadiq Khan, right, visit the Evelyn Community Centre in London in May 2021.
Starmer and London Mayor Sadiq Khan, right, visit the Evelyn Community Centre in London in May 2021.
Stefan Rousseau/Press Association/AP
Starmer delivers the keynote speech during the Labour Party Conference in Brighton, England, in September 2021. It was his first in-person conference as Labour leader.
Starmer delivers the keynote speech during the Labour Party Conference in Brighton, England, in September 2021. It was his first in-person conference as Labour leader.
Leon Neal/Getty Images
Starmer, left, speaks with former British prime ministers Tony Blair, center, and Gordon Brown during the Accession Council ceremony in London where King Charles III was formally proclaimed monarch in September 2022.
Starmer, left, speaks with former British prime ministers Tony Blair, center, and Gordon Brown during the Accession Council ceremony in London where King Charles III was formally proclaimed monarch in September 2022.
Kirsty O'Connor/Getty Images
Starmer walks behind British Prime Minister Liz Truss during the ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
Starmer walks behind British Prime Minister Liz Truss during the ceremonial procession of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
Ben Stansall/Getty Images
Starmer celebrates an England goal as he watches a World Cup match from London in November 2022.
Starmer celebrates an England goal as he watches a World Cup match from London in November 2022.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Starmer speaks at the House of Commons in December 2022.
Starmer speaks at the House of Commons in December 2022.
Jessica Taylor/UK Parliament/Reuters
While visiting Scunthorpe, England, in April 2023, Starmer meets representatives from organizations that are dedicated to supporting victims of violence against women and girls.
While visiting Scunthorpe, England, in April 2023, Starmer meets representatives from organizations that are dedicated to supporting victims of violence against women and girls.
Stefan Rouseau/PA
Starmer speaks to supporters in Chatham, England, in May 2023.
Starmer speaks to supporters in Chatham, England, in May 2023.
Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images
A protester throws glitter over Starmer, disrupting his keynote speech at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool in October 2023.
A protester throws glitter over Starmer, disrupting his keynote speech at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool in October 2023.
Stefan Rousseau/PA
Starmer travels with Rachel Reeves, shadow chancellor of the Exchequer, for a shadow cabinet meeting in April 2024.
Starmer travels with Rachel Reeves, shadow chancellor of the Exchequer, for a shadow cabinet meeting in April 2024.
Leon Neal/Getty Images
Starmer holds a card featuring six election pledges during a Labour event in Purfleet, England, in May 2024.
Starmer holds a card featuring six election pledges during a Labour event in Purfleet, England, in May 2024.
Leon Neal/Getty Images
Starmer campaigns in Gillingham, England, in May 2024.
Starmer campaigns in Gillingham, England, in May 2024.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Starmer and his wife, Victoria, arrive at a polling station to vote in the general election in July 2024.
Starmer and his wife, Victoria, arrive at a polling station to vote in the general election in July 2024.
Leon Neal/Getty Images
Starmer speaks after winning the constituency of Holborn and St Pancras during the general election in July 2024.
Starmer speaks after winning the constituency of Holborn and St Pancras during the general election in July 2024.
Leon Neal/Getty Images
Starmer talks with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace after the election. The King invited Starmer to become prime minister and form a new government.
Starmer talks with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace after the election. The King invited Starmer to become prime minister and form a new government.
Yui Mok/PA
Starmer and his wife, Victoria, greet Labour campaigners and activists at No. 10 Downing Street after the election.
Starmer and his wife, Victoria, greet Labour campaigners and activists at No. 10 Downing Street after the election.
Toby Melville/Reuters
Starmer delivers <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fworld%2Flive-news%2Fuk-general-election-results-2024-intl%23h_6e35ab143f285dd6e933d469860ddc09" target="_blank">his first speech as prime minister</a> outside No. 10 Downing Street. "You have given us a clear mandate, and we will use it to deliver change, to restore service and respect to politics, end the era of noisy performance, tread more lightly on your lives, and unite our country," Starmer said.
Starmer delivers his first speech as prime minister outside No. 10 Downing Street. "You have given us a clear mandate, and we will use it to deliver change, to restore service and respect to politics, end the era of noisy performance, tread more lightly on your lives, and unite our country," Starmer said.
Phil Noble/Reuters
The Starmers wave from the steps of No. 10 Downing Street.
The Starmers wave from the steps of No. 10 Downing Street.
Henry Nicholls/AFP/Getty Images
Starmer talks with Peter Mandelson, Britain's ambassador to the United States, during a welcome reception at the ambassador's residence in Washington, DC, in February 2025.
Starmer talks with Peter Mandelson, Britain's ambassador to the United States, during a welcome reception at the ambassador's residence in Washington, DC, in February 2025.
Carl Court/Reuters
Starmer, second left, walks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the Presidential Palace in Kyiv, Ukraine, where they held a meeting of the so-called "coalition of the willing" in May 2025.
Starmer, second left, walks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the Presidential Palace in Kyiv, Ukraine, where they held a meeting of the so-called "coalition of the willing" in May 2025.
Stefan Rousseau/Getty Images
US President Donald Trump and Starmer announce an agreement between the two countries as they hold a news conference at the conclusion of Trump's state visit in September 2025.
US President Donald Trump and Starmer announce an agreement between the two countries as they hold a news conference at the conclusion of Trump's state visit in September 2025.
Leon Neal/Getty Images
Starmer visits a First Bus depot in Norwich, England, in December 2025. The government had invested in buses and extended a £3 bus fare cap.
Starmer visits a First Bus depot in Norwich, England, in December 2025. The government had invested in buses and extended a £3 bus fare cap.
Chris Radburn/Getty Images
Starmer, fifth right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, sixth left, participate in a bilateral meeting in Beijing in January 2026.
Starmer, fifth right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, sixth left, participate in a bilateral meeting in Beijing in January 2026.
Carl Court/AP
Starmer speaks at the House of Commons in April 2026.
Starmer speaks at the House of Commons in April 2026.
House of Commons/Reuters
Starmer meets Labour Party members in London In May 2026. It was the day after the party suffered disastrous results in local elections.
Starmer meets Labour Party members in London In May 2026. It was the day after the party suffered disastrous results in local elections.
Stefan Rousseau/PA