UK PM Keir Starmer resigns, becomes sixth post-Brexit PM to leave without full term

By: The Hindu Bureau

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation, following months of internal conflict within the Labour Party.

Keir Starmer announces resignation from 10, Downing Street, London. | Photo Credit: Jaimi Joy

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, announced his resignation on Monday (June 22, 2026), outlining a timetable for his expected departure from power in a televised address from 10 Downing Street in London.

His resignation comes on the heels of his visit to the U.S. as part of the G7 Summit and discussions with leaders about the future of the wider crisis in West Asia.

Mr. Starmer is now the sixth PM to resign without completing their term after the country separated from the EU, a process known as Brexit. Other leaders who resigned include Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak, and Liz Truss.

List of UK Prime Ministers Who Have Resigned Since Brexit

Keir Starmer

Mr. Starmer took office on July 5, 2024, and is expected to serve as caretaker Prime Minister until a new PM is elected. His resignation follows months of internal turmoil within the Labour Party.

Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak makes a short speech outside Downing Street before resigning in 2024. | Photo Credit: AP

Indian-origin Rishi Sunak took office on October 24, 2022, and resigned in 2024 following the plummeting popularity of the Conservative Party. His links to India and other parts of the world made him vastly popular among the Indian diaspora until his popularity declined, leading to his resignation.

Liz Truss

Former UK PM Liz Truss announces her resignation in 2022. | Photo Credit: Reuters

Liz Truss became Prime Minister on September 5, 2022, and left office on October 24, 2022. She became the shortest-serving PM in the country's history, serving just 49 days due to a governmental crisis within the nation's polity and the Conservative Party. Social media remembered Ms. Truss after a newspaper compared her tenure to that of a rotting cabbage.

Boris Johnson

Former U.K. PM Boris Johnson speaks in London in 2022. | Photo Credit: AP

Boris Johnson served as UK PM and leader of the Conservative Party from July 24, 2019, to September 6, 2022. He stepped down following a mass rebellion within his own government. His tenure saw multiple scandals, including what is known as 'Party Gate'.

Theresa May

Theresa May

Theresa May served as UK PM from July 13, 2016, to July 24, 2019, and resigned following a rebellion from both pro-Brexit and anti-Brexit factions within the Conservative Party.

David Cameron

Former U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron. | Photo Credit: AFP

David Cameron resigned from his post as PM and leader of the Conservative Party on June 24, 2016, following a referendum in which 52% of people voted to leave the European Union. He announced his resignation the next morning after championing the 'Remain' campaign.