Sir Kier Starmer resigns as PM of the UK, Burnham likely to succeed him

Two years ago, the Labour Party under the leadership of Sir Kier Starmer destroyed the Conservative Party with a 17- seat majority in Parliament.

He was riding high and brought the Labour Party back into power after a long time on the Opposition benches.

Today he came before the country outside of 10 Downing Street and announced his resignation, saying he will be spending more time with his wife and children.   

After the Labour Party was resoundingly beaten in May’s local elections and with the economy in the doldrums, there were grumblings and discontent in the Labour Party.

It was said that Sir Kier Starmer had no personality, he lacked charisma, was unable to connect with the electorate, a nice guy but not up to the job. 

Yesterday, U.S. President Donald Trump said Sir Keir Starmer would step down undone by immigration and an unwillingness to open up the North Sea and tap oil and gas flows.

As Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham was able to keep the buses running on time and now he has been hailed as the Labour Party’s saviour, the man who will get Great Britain on track. 

Elements of Sir Keir Starmer’s Cabinet turned on him, and over 100 MPs wanted him out.

Now the UK will have had seven Prime Ministers over the last ten years in a chaotic merry-go-round of British political leaders unable to gain a grip on the country and steer it into good times.

Some say this is due to Brexit, others to economic mismanagement.

Sir Kier Starmer’s approval rating has been plummeting for months, and he made a fatal error in appointing Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the U.S. Mandelson was embroiled in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election last week and was called “ The King of the North,” the saviour who would come to the South to set things right.

Burnham served in both Blair and Brown’s governments but never held a major portfolio, yet he is now the man to lead Britain into a more prosperous and tranquil era.

How did Sir Kier Starmer allow himself to be humiliated by a man in Manchester who made the buses there run on time? Why did he not have the whole-hearted support of his Cabinet and MPs? Why did he not see that Angela Raynor was going to stab him in the back? 

It was clear that he lost favour with Donald Trump when he didn’t rush to commit the UK to his war with Iran and remained resolutely out of the conflict. For that decision, Trump demonised him as “ no Churchill”. 

Sir Kier Starmer’s own party didn’t want him. It saw him as a political liability, unable to return the Labour Party to power in the next general election.

If Sir Kier Starmer had not been forced to resign, he would have been challenged by Andy Burnham for the leadership of the party. He would probably lose, heaping even more ignominious embarrassment onto himself.

Two weeks ago, Sir Kier Starmer defiantly proclaimed he would fight any challenge to his leadership and stay on as Prime Minister. Now he has gone meekly into the night.

History will judge him as a failed Labour Party leader and a failed Prime Minister despite returning the Labour Party to power after 14 years in the wilderness. 

The local election saw a contest of 5,006 English councillors, of which Labour won only 1,068 seats. It was obliterated and the Reform Party gained ground. This added more pressure on Sir Kier Starmer, leading to the call for Andy Burnham.

No Labour Party Prime Minister has ever faced a leadership contest from the MPs.

It now looks like Tony Blair will go down as the Labour Party’s greatest Prime Minister, winning three general elections, putting in place a good healthcare policy, adopting a pro-business approach and presiding over a good economy.

Today, Andy Burnham met with Labour Party MPs to win their confidence and to let them know he intends to be their new boss.

If he goes unchallenged in a leadership contest, he could be the UK’s next Prime Minister as early as July 17. 

What are Andy Burnham’s plans for the country? How does he intend to get the economy moving in the right direction? Will the UK do away with Brexit and re-engage with Europe? Will he be able to do far better than Sir Kier Starmer? Will the UK see yet another Prime Minister by the end of next year? 

During his resignation address, the outgoing Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer said : 

“I know the question being asked now is not who was best placed to change the Labour Party, to take us into power, and to begin the vital work of improving lives for millions of people. Those questions have been answered.

“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 of my parliamentary party to that question. And 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. I have spoken to His Majesty the King this morning to inform him of my decision.

“I will ask the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party to set out a timetable with nominations opening on 9 July and completed by the summer recess. In the case of a contest, this will ensure a new leader is in place before Parliament returns in September.

“I will remain in post as Prime Minister until the contest is complete. And I will do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power.

“I will also give my successor my full and unequivocal support, knowing that they will inherit a Britain that is far stronger and fairer than the one I inherited two years ago, better prepared for the challenges ahead, and better able to ensure the Labour Party secures a second term in office.

“I want to thank all of those friends and colleagues who have been at my side for these past six years or so for their incredible commitment, service and support.”