British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as both the country's leader and the head of the ruling Labour Party. He made the announcement on Monday during a statement at Downing Street, marking the end of the sixth prime ministerial tenure in the United Kingdom over the past decade. Starmer said he would continue to serve as prime minister until the Labour Party elects a new leader, and he confirmed that he had spoken with King Charles III earlier in the day.

Starmer stated that every decision he made was guided by his commitment to put his country first. He said he would accept his party’s decision with courtesy and offer full and unconditional support to his successor. He acknowledged that questions had been raised within the party about whether he was the right person to lead Labour into the next general election, and he accepted the party’s response.

He has asked the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee to begin the process of selecting a new leader, with nominations opening on July 9. His resignation comes less than two years after he promised to bring stability to British politics following a decisive election victory.