Sir Keir Starmer says he will become a family man after quitting as UK PM

Labour leader says he will stay in Downing Street until successor is chosen, with nominations opening on July 9

Sir Keir Starmer has said he will leave the “biggest job in the country” to become a family man after announcing he is stepping down as prime minister and Labour leader.

In a resignation speech outside Downing Street this moring, Starmer said he would remain in post until Labour had chosen a successor.

The outgoing prime minister said he had accepted that Labour MPs no longer believed he was the right person to lead the party into the next general election.

He said he had already spoken to the King to inform him of his decision.

“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,” he told reporters.

Starmer used the speech to defend his record in government, saying Labour had delivered a stronger economy, rising wages, falling NHS waiting lists, stronger workers’ and renters’ rights, higher defence spending and a fall in small boat crossings.

And he said Labour had also lifted half a million children out of poverty “because of the choices that I made”.

He inherited a Labour Party that was “politically, financially and morally bankrupt” and had proved wrong those who said the party was finished.

“Walking up this street two years ago was the proudest moment of my life,” he added.

“A new Labour government. The first in 14 years. A page in our country’s history turned after years of disappointment and despair.”

Nominations for Starmer’s successor are expected to open on July 9 and the contest completed before Parliament returns in September.

“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,” Starmer said.

In the most personal passage of the speech, Starmer said he would spend more time with his wife, Victoria, and their children after leaving Downing Street.

He said: “And when I leave, the biggest job in the country. I shall spend more time on the most important job. Being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife, Vic, who has been a rock by my side, through good times and bad. And being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and my joy.”

READ MORE: Keir, on your bike! Boris Johnson uses father Stanley’s book launch to take swipe at Starmer. Former PM jokes that Sir Keir Starmer may need a motorcycle of his own as he joins “Dada” Stanley and brothers Max, Leo and Jo to launch new Marco Polo book and celebrate the BSA bikes that helped carry his father’s 1960s expedition across continents.

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_{Main image: Sir Keir Starmer arrives in Downing Street to deliver his first speech as prime minister on 5 July 2024. Twenty-three months later, he has said he will leave the “biggest job in the country” to focus on being a husband and father. Credit: Kirsty O’Connor / No 10 Downing Street / OGL 3}