Keir Starmer to step down as prime minister two years after historic election victory

Keir Starmer has announced he will stand down as prime minister after days of intense pressure from Labour MPs, including cabinet ministers, following the return of Andy Burnham to Westminster. Less than two years after a historic election victory, Starmer had faced calls from his MPs to set out a timeline for his departure, with many of them spooked by the threat from Nigel Farage’s party ahead of the next general election. While Starmer insisted on Friday that he would fight any leadership contest, conversations with ministers and time with his wife Victoria at Chequers over the weekend appear to have shifted his thinking decisively. More than half a dozen cabinet ministers are understoo to have privately told him his time is up, while Starmer and his inner circle began work on drafts of a resignation speech on Saturday. Starmer’s decision to announce his own departure could kickstart a race among Labour MPs to become the UK’s seventh prime minister in 10 years, which Burnham - who saw off a Reform challenge to win the Makerfield byelection – is in pole position to win. But it could also result in a coronation if no other candidates – who could include the health secretary Wes Streeting – get the 81 nominations required, or if they strike a deal with the former mayor of Greater Manchester. …