Resignation was personal: Starmer

British PM backs Burnham to lead Labour to victory in next election

London: Outgoing UK PM Keir Starmer has described his decision to resign as an “intensely personal” one, saying it was made after a weekend with his wife and children at Chequers, the prime minister’s official country retreat.

In his first interview since announcing his resignation, Starmer said he would remain a Labour MP until the next general election but would refrain from publicly advising his successor.

“I’ll be keeping my mouth shut rather than giving constant advice,” he told the BBC, adding, he would offer guidance only if asked.

The 63-year-old said he carefully weighed what was best for his family, the government and the country before deciding to step down after Labour MPs lost confidence in his leadership.

Starmer said he held no personal animosity towards former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, the frontrunner to succeed him, and expressed confidence that Labour could remain in government under his leadership.

“My successor will have a platform to build on, which means Labour can, and should, go on to win the next election,” he said, crediting his government with stabilising the economy, reducing NHS waiting lists and tackling child poverty.

He also highlighted reb­u­i­lding Labour after its 2019 election defeat and tackling antisemitism within the party as central to his legacy. How­ever, Starmer cautioned that whoever succeeds him will face the same domestic pressures and volatile global security challenges that defined his premiership. —Agencies