British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday that he will step down as leader of the Labour Party and resign as prime minister, paving the way for the United Kingdom to appoint its seventh prime minister in a decade.

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, Starmer said he had informed King Charles of his decision and would remain in office on an interim basis until a successor is chosen.

“The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election,” Starmer said. “I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.”

Starmer, who became Labour leader in 2020, led the party to victory in the 2024 general election and has served as prime minister since taking office.

His departure follows growing pressure from within Labour, where a significant number of lawmakers had publicly called for a change in leadership amid concerns about the party’s future electoral prospects.

The prime minister said he has asked Labour officials to begin the process of selecting a new leader, with nominations scheduled to open on July 9.

While Starmer did not specify the exact date of his departure from Downing Street, he said he expects a new party leader and prime minister to be in place by September, when Parliament returns from its summer recess.

The leadership contest is expected to draw significant attention as Labour seeks to choose a successor capable of uniting the party and preparing it for the next general election.

Starmer’s resignation marks the end of a five-year tenure as Labour leader and ushers in a new chapter for British politics at a time of ongoing economic and international challenges.