UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Announces Resignation

Tokyo (ANTARA) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday after a crushing defeat for the Labour Party in the May elections triggered a loss of support within the ruling party. According to him, the Labour Party leadership election to choose his successor will be held in September. Starmer repeatedly signalled his determination to stay in office, but ultimately succumbed to mounting calls for his resignation within his Cabinet, as reported by Kyodo news agency. Sputnik previously reported that Starmer would remain as prime minister until the election process is complete and ensure an orderly transfer of power. “I will ask the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee to set the candidate registration schedule to open on 9 July and conclude before the summer recess. If the election takes place, it will be ensured that a new leader is inaugurated before Parliament reconvenes in September,” Starmer said at Downing Street in London. Meanwhile, Anadolu Agency reported that Starmer explained his resignation was a response to his party’s question about whether he was “best placed” to lead the party in the next election. “I have heard the answer from my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept it graciously,” he said.