UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Resigns Amid Gaza Policy Controversy

Keir Starmer announced his resignation as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on 22 June. His time in office saw the cancellation of winter fuel payments for about 10 million pensioners and the reversal of a benefits restriction introduced by previous governments. A proposed mandatory digital ID for work‑rights verification was also dropped.

In foreign affairs, Starmer approved the withholding of electricity and water supplies to Gaza as a defensive measure and classified the activist group Palestine Action as a terrorist organization, aligning the UK closely with Israel. He did not publicly address the International Court of Justice genocide case brought by South Africa against Israel or the International Criminal Court arrest warrants for Israeli leaders.

Starmer had become leader after the 2019 election and faced criticism for his handling of domestic reforms and his stance on the Gaza conflict.