Keir Starmer

They have been resolute in their support for me, firstly in becoming an MP and then becoming the leader of Labour party and then as prime minister.

I think once you’ve been prime minister, it’s important to answer the question: what are you going to do next? Having decided I’m going to concentrate on international affairs, I think it’s right to step down.

It has been a huge honour and privilege to represent the best constituency in the country and to have taken over from Frank Dobson, who was such a great constituency MP and a member of the last Labour government.

I will also continue, as I have done for a long time now with others, to work on combating violence against women and girls; that is an issue that matters to me hugely.

I will now focus on other things and that will be international affairs including defence, security, trade and technology in a fast-changing world.

In six and a half years, I took our party from a historic defeat in 2019, changed it so it was fit to face the country and won a landslide general election victory in 2024.

Immigration is down significantly. Our defence and security are on a far stronger footing and our international reputation is greatly enhanced.

Our public services are on the up, with the biggest fall in waiting times for 17 years. Children are being lifted out of poverty every single day.

Since then, it has been the privilege of my life to serve you and this great country as Prime Minister, and I am confident that Britain is now stronger and fairer than it was two years ago.

I am about to visit His Majesty the King to offer my resignation and close the book on my time as Prime Minister. My work is done.

I go with good grace, I go with a smile, and I go proud of everything we have achieved.

And, I’m very proud of that. So I shall walk out with pride.

I leave probably the most high-profile job in the country to the most important, which is to be the best dad I can to my kids and best husband I can to my wife.

I vowed the UK would stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes - and long after.

The British people understand what is being fought for here - freedom and democracy, values that we will never take for granted.

The big job in me is being the best dad to my kids and the best husband to my wife. That is... that is a big job. And it's a job I'm very much looking forward to.

I'm proud to have turned the Labour Party around, to have won a general election, and to put the party on a good footing.

I've always wanted to fight for the people who struggle to be heard and struggle to be seen.

It is hugely impactful. However much you try to make it not impact the family, and we all do, and I desperately try to protect Vic and the kids, there's no doubting it has an impact on them.

I came into politics in 2015 to improve the lives of millions of people.

There is now I think a sound footing, a sound foundation, and the party can go on and win a second term, which is what I always thought we could do.

I will go with good grace. I want my country to thrive, and therefore I'll do everything to make sure there's an orderly transition and give my full support to Andy Burnham and the whole of the government.

I think the tide is turning, has turned, and I'm sure they will go on and win this.

I'm absolutely confident when I say our support will not waver. And we'll see that in the coming weeks.