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Sir Keir Starmer has announced his decision to step down as Labour Party leader and prime minister, paving the way for a summer leadership contest. Delivering an emotional resignation speech from Downing Street, he acknowledged that he was not the best person to lead the party into the next general election.

Reflecting on his tenure, Starmer defended his record, pointing to reforms in employment rights and efforts to rebuild a party he inherited in a depleted state. However, mounting discontent following local election results and the recent Makerfield by-election—won emphatically by Andy Burnham—accelerated his departure. Starmer will remain as caretaker prime minister until a successor is chosen, with nominations running from July 9 to July 16, and a new leader expected before Parliament returns in September.

Looking ahead to his life outside politics, the outgoing prime minister shared a deeply personal reflection, stating: "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 my joy." The succession race is already underway, with Andy Burnham emerging as the early frontrunner after receiving the backing of former rival Wes Streeting. Meanwhile, opposition leaders have criticized the government's record and demanded a fresh general election as the UK prepares for its seventh prime minister since 2016.

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Transcript
00:00The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next
00:08general election. I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question
00:17and I accept that answer with good grace. Every decision I've taken has been about putting the
00:26country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party. I have spoken to
00:35His Majesty the King this morning to inform him of my decision. I will ask the National Executive
00:41Committee of the Labour Party to set out a timetable with nominations opening on the 9th of July and
00:48completed by the summer recess. And when I leave the biggest job in the country, I shall
00:56spend more time on the most important job. Being the best husband I can to my fantastic
01:03wife Fig who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad. And being the best dad
01:11I
01:11can to my beautiful children who are my pride and my joy. Thank you very much.
01:26Thank you very much.
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