Starmer's resignation speaks to a crisis in British politics. What the media is writing

Keir Starmer's departure from the post of British Prime Minister was yet another indication of the fracturing of British politics after Brexit. Ten years later, the country will have a seventh head of government. The main reason for the frequent change of leaders was the economy, which so far none of the politicians has managed to raise. How the world's media reacts to the next government crisis is in the Izvestia digest.

The New York Times: Starmer resigned, succumbing to a long-standing party rebellion

For months, he had been desperately trying to avoid this moment. But on June 22, Keir Starmer finally announced his resignation as prime minister, succumbing to a long-standing rebellion within his Labour Party. This decision very likely paves the way for Andy Burnham, the popular former mayor, to become the country's next leader.

His departure will be a bitter milestone for a party that has made a remarkable comeback in 2024. She ended 14 years of Conservative Party rule and its unpopular austerity program. But in an ominous sign for Starmer, his Labour Party won a record low share of the vote — 34% — in that general election, prompting many analysts to describe the victory as a "bleak triumph" that made his position inherently fragile. Now Burnham is waiting in the wings, having made no secret of his desire to replace Starmer for almost a year.

The Guardian: What will happen next in British politics?

Starmer, as required by tradition, notified King Charles III of his intention to resign even before he announced it to the British public on June 22 in the morning. In his resignation speech, the Labor leader said he would ask the ruling national executive committee of his party to determine the timing of the election of his successor. July 9 will be the date from which candidates will be able to seek the nomination of their fellow MPs from the Labor Party.

However, it is almost certain that elections will be avoided after Wes Streeting, another influential Labour MP who resigned as Minister of Health last month, changed his previously stated intention to run and announced that he would support Burnham. If Burnham does not face competition, he is expected to become Labor leader on July 17th or 18th. He expects to receive a call from the king inviting him to form a government.

CNN: Why can't the UK retain prime ministers?

When you think about the instability that seems to have become a characteristic feature of British political life, a catch phrase that became famous thanks to Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign immediately comes to mind — "It's the economy, you idiot." The United Kingdom looks set to have its sixth prime minister in the last seven years, as one political leader after another proves unable to withstand a stubbornly weak economy that negatively affects incomes and living standards, draining the electorate.

Wages are barely keeping pace with rising consumer prices, which means that people are not feeling a significant improvement in their well-being. According to the British Statistical Office, since the Labour Party came to power in 2024, the average weekly wage, adjusted for inflation and excluding bonuses, has increased by less than 1% to 494 pounds, which is hardly better than the increase since 2019. Meanwhile, taxes are at a multi-year high. Starmer, like the four leaders before him, correctly diagnosed the long-standing problem of low economic growth. However, growth proved difficult to achieve, even despite the build-up of government debt.

Retirement didn't play out: London will maintain support for Ukraine even without Starmer

Who will replace the British Prime Minister and why is he popularly nicknamed "Kir Stalin"

Associated Press: How Brexit destroyed British politics

On June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom voted to leave the EU after more than four decades of membership, 52% against 48% supported this decision. Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron, who initiated the referendum but advocated remaining a member, resigned the next day. All his successors, mostly unsuccessfully, tried to cope with the consequences of this gap. Starmer became the latest to announce his resignation after two years of a sluggish economy, an ineffective government, and a divided and disillusioned electorate. All of this is, at least in part, the legacy of Brexit.

The Labour Party, although much more pro-European, is experiencing internal divisions between those who want to move closer to the European Union or even rejoin it, and senior leaders such as Starmer, who want to avoid the resumption of old conflicts. A decade later, millions of voters have left the two largest parties in favor of alternatives, including the left-leaning Green Party and the far-right Reform UK. Brexit remains a minefield that politicians are afraid to enter. Even if the UK wants to return to the EU, it will be a long way.