Keir Starmer resigns as UK prime minister and leader of Labour Party

Keir Starmer has resigned as UK prime minister and leader of the Labour Party, the BBC reported.

In a statement outside 10 Downing Street, the PM said his party had been asking whether he's "best placed to lead us into the next general election", adding: "I have heard the answer".

Starmer described becoming prime minister as the "proudest moment" of his life.

He said he inherited a Labour Party that was "politically, financially and morally bankrupt", which he was told "time and time again" was "finished".

Starmer announced he had already spoken with the King and said that if there is a contest to succeed him, a new Labour leader will be in place before parliament returns in September. The PM added that he would do everything he can to ensure an orderly handover of power, and will give his successor his full support. Getting emotional toward the end of his speech, Starmer said he would now be the best husband and dad to his "fantastic wife" and "beautiful children".

Under Britain's parliamentary system of government, whoever leads the party that has a majority in parliament is the country's prime minister.  

Starmer's Labour Party currently has a large majority.

According to Reuters, Starmer is likely to usher in an orderly transfer of power to rival Andy Burnham, paving the way for Britain to acquire its seventh leader in a decade.

Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, decisively won a parliamentary election last week to regain a seat in the House of Commons, a necessary step for him to challenge Starmer for the leadership of the Labour Party, and with it the job of prime minister. If he is uncontested, he could be in Downing Street within weeks, according to The Guardian.

Starmer’s departure was ultimately triggered by heavy local election losses.