British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced he will step down as leader of the Labour Party, ending a premiership that has lasted less than two years, according to a statement made outside Downing Street.

Starmer resigned under pressure from within his party, but will remain in office as Prime Minister until a leadership contest to choose his successor is completed.

The announcement follows mounting pressure on the prime minister after Labour suffered heavy losses in local elections in May and faced an increasingly vocal rebellion from his own lawmakers over his leadership and policy agenda.

In a brief address on the steps of Downing Street, he confirmed the transition process would begin immediately, allowing for an orderly handover once a new Labour leader is selected.

He said every decision he has made in office has been about “putting the country I love first”.

Starmer thanks his “fantastic wife, Vic”, describing her as a “rock”, according to the BBC.

He also said he wants to be the “best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and joy”.

His expected successor, Andy Burnham, is set to be sworn in as an MP later on Monday after winning a by-election last week, positioning him as a leading contender in the upcoming leadership race.

The announcement marks a major political turning point for the Labour Party, bringing an early end to Starmer’s tenure in office.