Andy Burnham vs Wes Streeting — who will be the next UK PM and how will he be chosen as Keir Starmer resigns? Explained

Keir Starmer announced his resignation as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the leader of the Labour Party on Monday. In an emotional speech, Starmer said he is leaving the "biggest job." He also set out a timetable for his departure and said the new PM could take over by September.

How will the new UK PM be decided? Who are the main contenders and what's next for Starmer? Here's all we know:

As Starmer resigns, the next step involves the process of electing a new Labour leader, who will also become Britain's 7th prime minister in just 10 years.

The process involves electing a new Labour leader, with nominations opening on July 9 and a potential new PM in place by September. If no other candidates enter, Andy Burnham could assume the role by mid-July.

The primary contenders include Andy Burnham, who is widely expected to replace Starmer, and former health minister Wes Streeting, who has indicated he might enter the leadership race.

If uncontested, Andy Burnham could become Prime Minister on or around July 17. If there's a contest, a new leader should be in place by the end of August.

Starmer's resignation came amid intense pressure due to declining approval ratings and significant losses in local elections, as well as the rise of political rival Andy Burnham.

The Labour Party will undergo a leadership contest, aiming for an orderly transition to a new leader, which is crucial for maintaining party unity and government functionality.

In his speech outside 10 Downing Street, Starmer said he would ask the Labour Party's organising committee to set out a timeline for a leadership contest to find his replacement.

Nominations would open on July 9, close by mid-July, and if there is a contest, a new leader will be in place by September.

Andy Burnham is widely expected to replace Starmer. But if other candidates decide to enter any leadership race, the party could end up with a divisive contest that could paralyse government.

Starmer clarified that, “In the case of a contest, this will ensure a new leader is in place before parliament returns in September,” he added.

The Commons summer recess is due to start on July 16 and so, if Andy Burnham is unopposed, he will become the prime minister in mid-July.

But if another leader throws his/her hat in the race, there will be a contest and the new PM will be in post by the end of August. The Commons returns after the summer recess on September 1.

“I will ask the national executive committee of the Labour party to set out a timetable, with nominations opening on the 9th of July and completed by the summer recess,” Starmer said.