Waziri Mkuu wa Uingereza, Keir Starmer, ametangaza kujiuzulu nafasi yake Jumatatu hii baada ya kukabiliwa na shinikizo la miezi kadhaa, hatua inayofungua njia kwa nchi hiyo kupata Waziri Mkuu wa saba katika kipindi cha muongo mmoja uliopita.
Akihutubia nje ya Ofisi ya Waziri Mkuu (10 Downing Street), Starmer ambaye amekuwa madarakani tangu Julai 2024 alikiri wazi kuwa amepoteza uungwaji mkono kutoka kwa wabunge wa chama chake cha Labour.
Alieleza kuwa tayari amemtaarifu Mfalme Charles III kuhusu uamuzi wake huo wa kujiuzulu, ili kuruhusu mchakato wa kumchagua kiongozi mpya wa chama cha Labour, ambaye pia atakuwa Waziri Mkuu mpya, uweze kuendelea. Starmer alieleza kuwa amekiomba Kamati Kuu ya ya chama cha Labour kuweka ratiba ya kumpata mrithi wake, ambapo mchakato wa kuchukua fomu za uteuzi unatarajiwa kuanza rasmi Julai 9.
Hata hivyo, Sir Keir amesisitiza kuwa ataendelea kubaki kwenye nafasi yake kama Waziri Mkuu mpaka pale mchakato huo wa kumpata kiongozi mpya utakapokamilika.
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UK leader Keir Starmer announced his resignation on Monday following months of pressure, kickstarting a process that will see Britain get its seventh prime minister in a decade.
In a speech outside 10 Downing Street, Starmer -- in office since July 2024 -- conceded he had lost the support of his Labour party MPs.
He said he had informed King Charles III of his decision to resign so that a new Labour leader, and therefore prime minister, could be elected.
"I will remain in post as prime minister until the contest is complete, and I will do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power," he said.
Starmer's authority has been waning since Labour endured a drubbing in local and regional elections in May.
He was unable to withstand the pressure any further following confirmation last week that his rival Andy Burnham was returning to parliament, clearing the path for an anticipated leadership challenge.
Burnham, a veteran Labour politician, is due to take up his seat in the House of Commons later on Monday after winning a parliamentary by-election in Makerfield, northwest England, on Thursday.
"The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election," Starmer said, as senior ministerial colleagues looked on.
"I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.
"Every decision I have taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party," he added, choking up in an emotional speech.
Starmer said he had asked Labour's National Executive Committee to set out a timetable for his replacement, with nominations due to open on 9 July.
"This will ensure that a new leader is in place before parliament returns in September" after the summer recess, he explained.
Source: AFP