British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Monday that he will resign, paving the way for the country's seventh leader in a decade after facing an uprising within his centre-left Labour Party.

The announcement clears the path to power for Starmer's likely successor, Andy Burnham, the popular ex-mayor of Greater Manchester who secured a return to Parliament last week.

Burnham confirmed Monday, shortly after Starmer said he would stand aside, that he would seek to replace the departing leader. He is now the runaway favourite.

Starmer said he had spoken to King Charles III to inform the monarch of his decision to stand down, but that he would remain in the job as caretaker until a new leader is chosen.

"The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election," Starmer said, as he spoke in front of supporters outside No. 10 Downing Street on a sweltering summer morning. "I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace," he said.

Starmer's voice choked as he talked about the support of his wife, Victoria, and his two children — a rare public display of emotion for the prime minister.

"Every decision I have taken has been about putting the country I love first," Starmer said. "That is why I will resign."
Starmer said that nominations to replace him as leader of the Labour Party, and thus prime minister, will open on July 9 and close when Parliament breaks up for its summer recess on July 16.

If no challenger emerges to Burnham he could be in office shortly after that. If there is a contest, Starmer said a new leader will be chosen by September 1.

Starmer's "decision marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way," Burnham said in a statement. "I will put myself forward as part of this process." (NBC News)