Christian leaders across the UK have reacted to the announcement of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer saying he'll resign.
A new leader is expected to be in place by the time parliament returns in September, paving the way for Britain to have its seventh leader in 10 years.
Here are statements made by Christian leaders in church and politics reacting to his announcement:
Most Rev Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury:
"As Sir Keir Starmer prepares to leave office, I'm grateful for his service to our country and his leadership in a time of great challenges at home and abroad. As always, I pray for all those who put themselves forward for public service, and I wish Keir Starmer and his family well in this period of transition."
Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats:
"The British people are sick of being let down by an endless merry-go-round of Prime Ministers while nothing really changes. This time must be different. It can't just be about changing who's in Number 10, it has to be about changing our broken politics so we can fix our country.
"That means tackling the cost of living with a bold new deal with Europe, fixing social care to end the NHS crisis, and giving power back to people by voting [for] reform and giving communities more control. The next Prime Minister needs to show the ambition our country deserves."
Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland & Lonsdale:
"Starmer's been a poor PM, but the vitriol and hatred towards him is just weird. It comes from both the far left and far right. It's contrived by people whose motives are deeply suspect. Part of me wants him to survive just to spite them.
"I was merely Lib Dem leader, but stepping down earlier than you’d originally planned is of course a wrench. Yet it’s really not the end of the world, there is so much more you can do to serve people when the pressure is off. I pray that the PM will find that to be true for him."
Danny Kruger, Reform MP for East Wiltshire:
"That was a dignified resignation speech from Keir Starmer. But he's going because he and his party have failed in office - and because Reform are challenging them for the support of working people in the places left behind by the model of government they stand for. Rather than technocratic liberalism we need patriotic, common sense, pro-business, problem-solving government committed to family, community, country. Burnham will utter words like these but he and his party deep down don't believe in them, and are too split to deliver anyway. The next GE cannot come soon enough."
Sarah Smith, Labour MP for Hyndburn:
"I thought it was an incredibly dignified statement, and a really excellent speech, and does really summarise Keir Starmer as an individual. He's a good man who came into this job for the right reasons and has served our country in a really significant way, and turned our party around."
Lord Marvin Rees:
"I think some of the treatment around Keir has been unfair. It's this pile on, frenzied, instantaneous, accusatory, demon, enemy forming culture that we're in the middle that doesn't give us space to have cool headed discussions at the public level. Some of that's down to the culture that we're in, and some of that culture is being driven by people from outside the country dominating our social media, and leading in that context is very hard. I think some of it is unfair.
"Clearly there have been some significant missteps within there as well, so I look at it on both fronts, but I think he will be remembered for turning the party around and winning a historic election. Clearly, the speed of the demise will be one of the things that will be analysed back and forth. I think one of the other things he could be remembered for... was the approach and the graciousness he has indicated that he's going to bring to the transition."
Mike Buckley, Director Independent Commission on UK-EU Relations, former Labour Party advisor:
"In the end, a dignified statement from Starmer. Now we know the timeline and can plan accordingly. Makerfield voted for Burnham, and many of them voted for a change of PM. Days later, we’re getting both."
What's next?
Sir Keir said nominations for anyone to replace him would open on 9th July. However, Andy Burnham is the clear frontrunner. Burnham's confirmed he'll stand in the Labour leadership contest, and has the backing of ex-health secretary Wes Streeting.
"The question my party is asking now is whether I'm best placed to lead us into the next general election. I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace," the PM said during this speech on Monday morning.
The threat to Starmer, which had been building for months, increased sharply on Friday when Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, decisively won a parliamentary election to return to Westminster, beating a candidate from Nigel Farage's Reform UK party, which has led national opinion polls for more than a year.
That victory gave hope to Labour lawmakers that Burnham, a career politician known for his communication skills, could transform the fortunes of a party that has lost support under Starmer, whose popularity ratings have sunk to the lowest level on record for any British leader.
Starmer thanked his colleagues for their support, his voice cracking with emotion as he also paid tribute to his wife and children.
Starmer and faith
In an exclusive interview with Premier Christian News in December, Sir Keir highlighted the importance of Christian values in the UK and the gap the Church fills in society where the government falls short.
He was speaking to Premier after a Downing Street reception honouring around 100 church volunteers for the vital work they carry out in their communities. He said their work highlighted the importance of Christian values today, describing faith as a "north star" during times of insecurity and crisis for many.
