Sir Keir Starmer LIVE: Prime Minister announces resignation from Downing Street
Andy Burnham could become prime minister within weeks after Wes Streeting announced he would not enter the race to succeed Sir Keir
Welcome to The Scotsman’s live blog.
Sir Keir Starmer has announced he will resign as Prime Minister less than two years after coming to power.
In a statement outside 10 Downing Street, Sir Keir said his party had asked “whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election”.
He said: “I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.”
Defending his record, he pledged to give his successor “my full and unequivocal support, knowing that they will inherit a Britain that is far stronger and fairer than the one I inherited two years ago”.
With a wavering voice, he added: “When I leave the biggest job in the country, I shall spend more time on the most important job, being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife, Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad, and being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and joy.”
Sir Keir’s emotional statement followed a weekend spent mulling his future with his family at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country residence.
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