The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, has announced he will be resigning from the role after two years in office. He becomes the most short-lived Labour Prime Minister in history.

Starmer appeared outside Downing Street on Monday morning to confirm the news following confirmation that Andy Burnham would return to parliament.

“I know the question being asked now is not who is best placed to change the Labour party and take us into power,” he said in his statement.

“Those questions have been answered. The question being asked now is whether I am the best person to take us into the next general election.”

“I have heard the answer of that question from my parliamentary party, and I accept that decision with good grace...that is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party.”

Nominations for a new leader will be opened on July 9 and be closed in time for parliament’s summer recess. The Prime Minister will remain in post until a new leader is chosen.

It is currently unclear whether there will be a leadership contest for Burnham, who had been campaigning in Blaenavon before the Senedd election.

The new First Minister, Rhun ap Iowerth MS, had previously said a meeting between him and Keir Starmer was going to take place in June, but that never happened.

Now, he has said the next Prime Minister needs to develop a new relationship with Wales.

“I wish Keir Starmer well as he prepares to leave office,” he posted on X.

“The chaos in Westminster has made it difficult for Wales to get the engagement we need. The next PM must commit to a new relationship with Wales - with a focus on greater powers, fair funding and respect for our mandate.”

His new Plaid Cymru colleague for Sir Fynwy Torfaen, Matthew Jones MS, was more vocal in his criticism of Mr Starmer, saying “Starmer’s government was exactly power for powers sake. He forgot that people looked to him for hope, for change, but he continued with the worst Tory policies like the 2 child benefit gap.”

“That was Starmer’s first 500 days in government. Keeping children in poverty.”

Meanwhile, Reform UK MS, Laura Anne Jones, described him as one of the worst to ever do the job.

“History will judge Sir Keir as one of the worst Prime Ministers this country has ever seen,” she said. He failed to properly invest in our national defence, doubled down on costly net zero policies...and too often put political dogma ahead of common sense.”

The interim leader of Welsh Labour, Ken Skates MS, reacted to the news on another seismic day for his party, just six weeks after the people of Wales pushed Labour out of office

"Keir brought our party back from oblivion and delivered one of the greatest victories the Labour Party has seen. Under his leadership we’ve seen an increase to the minimum wage, a boost to the state pension and stronger employment rights,” he said.

“We also received a record devolution settlement and generational plans for £14bn for rail in Wales. He has led the country through exceptionally tough times with dignity and authenticity, and I want to put on record my deepest thanks to him.”

Read the full reaction from Catherine Fookes, MP for Monmouthshire and Parliamentary Private Secretary to Keir Starmer, on page 5.