On Monday, June 22, 2026, British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer resigned from office in what analysts said will pave the way for an orderly transfer of power to a new leader by September to avoid political instability as Britain prepares for its seventh leader in 10 years as Andy Burham is tipped to become next Prime Minister.
In an emotion-laden speech, Starmer said he had listened to his governing Labour Party and realised that he was no longer the man who should lead it into a national election due in 2029. He has become the 10th British Prime Minister to resign from office rather than leaving office via election loss.
This latest resignation brings back memories of the successive British Prime Ministers, who stepped down in the history of the country over political dynamics, health concerns and international dimensions.
Below is the catalogue of UK Prime Ministers that have resigned and the circumstances that heralded such development.
.Liz Truss, the third female Prime Minister, resigned in 2022 just after just 44 days, making her the shortest-serving Prime Minister in UK history.
.Boris Johnson resigned in 2022 following a massive wave of internal government resignations and ethics scandals.
.Theresa May, the second woman to become Prime Minister in the UK resigned in 2019 after failing to pass her Brexit withdrawal agreement through Parliament.
David Cameron stepped down in 2016 after losing the pivotal European Union membership referendum.
.Tony Blair stepped down in 2007 as Labour Party leader and Prime Minister due to declining approval ratings following the war in Iraq.
.Margaret Thatcher, the first woman to become Prime Minister in the UK, popularly called The “Iron Lady” resigned in 1990 due to a revolt from her own cabinet and a challenge to her leadership.
.Anthony Eden resigned in 1957 due to failing health and intense international pressure during the Suez Crisis.
.Winston Churchill resigned in 1955 during his second term as Prime Minister due to declining health following a stroke.
.Neville Chamberlain resigned in 1940 during the World War Two over his alleged inability to tame the incessant threats of Adolf Hitler as his ‘Appeasement’ policy failed to dissuade Hitler from war mongering.
