Andy Burnham's full statement after Keir Starmer resigns

This morning, Sir Keir said he had made the decision to resign after two years in the role and that he had informed the King.

In his resignation speech, Sir Keir said he will resign as leader of the Labour Party, and he began to get emotional as he thanked his wife Victoria and spoke about his children, who are his "pride and joy".

Keir has given huge service to our country and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication during such a challenging period.

His decision marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way. I will…

— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) June 22, 2026

Andy Burnham says Sir Keir Starmer 'has given huge service to our country'

Now, Andy Burnham, who could be in the running to be the next PM, has reacted to Starmer’s news.

He said on X: "Keir has given huge service to our country and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication during such a challenging period.

"His decision marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way.

"I will put myself forward as part of this process.

"The country expects stability, seriousness and a continued focus on the issues that matter most and that is what it will get.

"As we move forward, our priority must be to work together to get the country back to where we all want it to be.

"People want to see progress on economic growth, cost of living, public services, housing and opportunities for the next generation.

"Political change should never distract from the responsibility to improve people's lives.

"The Labour movement has always been at its strongest when it looks forward with confidence and purpose.

"This is what we will do from here and we will make sure this transition is a positive process of renewal for our party and our country."

Who could be the next Prime Minister?

Andy Burnham’s decision to stand in the Makerfield by-election – giving up the Greater Manchester mayoralty to become an MP – suggests he believes he has the necessary backing from the parliamentary party to get onto the ballot.

Former health secretary Wes Streeting has repeatedly insisted he has the 81 names required to mount a leadership bid, and has spent the weeks since his resignation setting out his stall.

Former Royal Marines officer Al Carns, who quit as armed forces minister in a row over defence funding and the treatment of Northern Ireland veterans, has also hinted he would seek to enter a leadership race.

However, it is unclear whether the MP, who was only elected in 2024, has the support required to get on the ballot paper.

Has a UK Prime Minister resigned before? 

Prime Ministers resigning is a regular occurrence in UK politics. 

Labour PM Tony Blair resigned in 2007, while his successors David Cameron, Theresa May, and Boris Johnson all stepped down from their posts. 

Boris Johnson was forced to resign after the partygate scandal, and other events turned the public and much of his own party against his premiership. 

In 2022, Liz Truss became the UK’s shortest-serving PM after being in the role for just 45 days before she stepped down.

Do you think Andy Burnham would make a good Prime Minister? Tell us in the comments.