Keir Starmer cries as he quits No 10 claiming a deluded list of 'achievements' - now Britain awaits its seventh PM in ten years
Keir Starmer choked up today as he announced he is quitting, with Andy Burnham closing in on taking control of Downing Street.
The PM talked up his achievements in getting Labour elected - as well as making a series of dubious claims about successes in Government - in a statement outside the famous black door of No10.
But he acknowledged that his time had run out. 'I know the question being asked now is not who is best placed to change the Labour Party… the question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election.'
He added: 'I accept that answer with good grace… that is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party.'
Sir Keir there would be an 'orderly' process to choose his replacement. He said a successor would be in place before the Commons summer recess on July 16 if there is only one candidate - Mr Burnham. Otherwise the decision could take until August.
However, Sir Keir became emotional as he paid tribute to the support from his family - saying he would now focus on being the 'best husband' and the 'best dad'.
Mr Burnham - who has rallied huge support from Labour MPs since romping home in the Makerfield by-election last week - is due to be sworn in at the Commons at 2.30pm.
But Nigel Farage immediate joined calls - including from some Labour MPs - for a general election to accompany the change at the top.
The PM returned to Downing Street from Chequers early this morning, after spending the weekend locked in talks with wife Victoria and close aides. He spoke to the King, who is at his Highgrove residence, by phone before making the announcement.
In other twists and turns today:
A minister has warned that Mr Burnham must call a snap general election if he takes over from Sir Keir;
Markets are giving their verdict on a turbulent weekend, with fears a new PM could tear up fiscal rules and lurch Left;
Britain is on track for its seventh PM in a decade since the Brexit referendum;
Sir Keir is set to be the shortest-serving Labour PM since universal suffrage.
https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-15918887/Starmer-poised-quit-TODAY-Minister-effectively-confirms-PM-announce-departure.html