What happens next after Sir Keir Starmer resigns as Prime Minister

Sir Keir Starmer has announced his resignation, paving the way for the UK to get a new prime minister.

The Labour party leader stepped out of Number 10 Downing Street at 9.30am on Monday morning to deliver a statement to the nation. Accompanied by his wife Victoria, Sir Keir took to the podium to confirm he would be stepping down.

Arriving to cheers and applause from his team, he said that becoming prime minister was the “proudest moment of my life”.

Click here for the latest on Greater Manchester’s politics in our newsletter

He said his party had changed since he became leader six years ago by “ripping out the poison of antisemitism, restoring trust on the economy, defence, and national security, and becoming a party that once again stood proudly with, not against, our national flag”.

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

“Every decision I have taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party.”

The prime minister said he would do all he can to ensure an “orderly” transition of power take place. But how will the new leader be chosen? Here’s what you need to know.

Who is prime minister now?

Sir Keir will remain as prime minister until a new leader is selected.

Over the coming weeks, MPs will be able to put themselves forward for leadership and a contest will take place to choose who will be the next Labour leader and prime minister.

Sir Keir said in his speech that he has asked Labour’s governing body to set out a timetable to replace him, beginning on July 9, and ending by the summer recess to “ensure a new leader is in place before Parliament returns in September”.

Who can stand in a leadership contest?

Only Labour MPs can stand in a Labour leadership contest. To stand, a candidate needs nominations from 20 per cent of the standing Labour MPs – that’s a total of 81.

Nominations must be in written form and submitted to the general secretary of the party, a position currently held by Hollie Ridley.

Who might stand in a contest?

Andy Burnham is now an MP and has made his intention to stand in a leadership contest clear. His decision to stand in the Makerfield by-election suggests he already has the necessary backing from his fellow MPs.

Former health secretary Wes Streeting has also insisted he has the 81 names required to mount a leadership bid. Former Royal Marines officer Al Carns, who quit as armed forces minister in a row over defence funding and the treatment of Northern Ireland veterans, has also hinted he would seek to enter a leadership race, but whether he has the nominations needed remains unclear.

What happens if only one candidate wants to stand?

If only one candidate gets the required nominations then they will become the new Labour leader and a contest does not need to take place.

A timetable will be set out for a transition of power to take place.

How does the voting work?

Only Labour Party members and affiliated trade union supporters are allowed to vote in a Labour leadership contest.

The party uses a one-person-one-vote system, meaning that the same person cannot vote both as a trade union member and as a Labour Party member.

Eligible voters then cast their votes using a preferential voting system. Each voter ranks the candidates in order of preference by marking their ballot 1, 2, 3 and so on.

The winner is the first candidate to secure over 50 per cent of the vote. If a candidate does not win on the first round, then the candidate in last place is removed, and the votes are redistributed and counted again.

Several rounds can take place until a candidate wins the 50 per cent needed.