UK will see its 7th prime minister in 10 years

Keir Starmer is to step down as British prime minister, extending a decade of political turmoil that has seen six UK leaders depart since the country voted to leave the European Union in 2016

David Cameron 2010 – 2016
Resigns after campaigning unsuccessfully for UK to remain in EU and losing Brexit referendum

Theresa May 2016 – 2019
Resigns after repeatedly failing to secure parliamentary approval for Brexit withdrawal agreement

Boris Johnson 2019 – 2022
Resigns following series of scandals, including gatherings at Downing Street during Covid-19 lockdown, known as “Partygate”

Liz Truss Sep – Oct 2022
Resigns after introducing unfunded tax-cut plan in “mini-budget”, plunging financial markets into chaos

Rishi Sunak 2022 – 2024
Resigns after failing to reverse Conservative decline and leading party to historic election defeat

Keir Starmer 2024 – 2026
Resigns after losing confidence of large part of own party following months of poor polling, electoral setbacks and internal dissent

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2010
2012
2014
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024
2026

David Cameron: 6 years, 64 days
Theresa May: 3 years, 12 days
Boris Johnson: 3 years, 45 days
Liz Truss: 50 days
Rishi Sunak: 1 year, 255 days
Keir Starmer: 1 year, 353 days*
Conservative party
Labour party

*Date of resignation announced
Sources: BBC, Reuters
Pictures: Getty Images, Newscom
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