British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that he will resign by September, bowing to unrelenting pressure from Labour MPs and setting the county up for its seventh prime minister in 10 years.

“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 loud and clear and I accept that answer with good grace,” Mr. Starmer said in a statement Monday outside Downing Street, choking back tears. “I will resign as leader of the Labour Party.”

His announcement clears the way for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to launch a long-expected bid for the party’s leadership. He scored an impressive win on Thursday in a by-election in a Manchester-area constituency, taking 55 per cent of the vote.

Mr. Burnham needed to be an MP to take on Mr. Starmer and he has made no secret of his desire to be party leader and prime minister. He’s considered the overwhelming front-runner to succeed Mr. Starmer, although other candidates could emerge, including former Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

Mr. Starmer has struggled ever since guiding Labour to a landslide victory in the general election in July, 2024. He promised stability and to focus on economic growth but has failed to deliver on either.

Britain’s economy is stuck in neutral and Labour’s popularity has plummeted in most opinion polls, leaving it far behind Reform.