Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stepped down as leader of the ruling Labour Party, less than two years after being elected in a landslide electoral victory.
Starmer says he will serve as caretaker prime minister until a new leader is chosen by his party.
“Six years ago, I inherited a Labour Party that was politically, financially and morally bankrupt. I was told, time and time again, that my party was finished. That we were consigned to history, that a majority at the general election, let alone a landslide majority, was impossible. But we proved those people wrong because we changed our party,” he said in a statement. “Ripping out the poison of antisemitism, restoring trust in the economy, defense, and national security. And becoming a party that, once again, stood proudly with, not against, our national flag. The hard work of change was with a singular purpose. Not power for power’s sake but to change Britain for the better.”
Starmer is the sixth prime minister in a decade to announce a premature departure. He made the announcement to step down after facing growing pressure to hand over to a new leader who can try to revive the government’s flagging fortunes.
Starmter led his Labour Party to a landslide election victory in July 2024. Since then, however, his popularity and that of the party have plummeted.
The formal contest to replace Starmer will begin in early July. Starmer said that nominations will open on July 9 and close when Parliament breaks up for its summer recess, which is scheduled to begin July 16.
Former Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has confirmed that he will run to succeed Keir Starmer as Labour leader and prime minister.
(With inputs from AP)
