Keir Starmer sets awkward new record after resigning as Andy Burnham takes over as UK Prime Minister

Keir Starmer has officially resigned as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Speaking in Downing Street before heading to Buckingham Palace to offer his resignation to King Charles, Starmer said he would 'pass the baton' to Andy Burnham, who has now been appointed as the new Prime Minister of the UK.

"I go with good grace, I go with a smile, and I go proud of everything that we have achieved," he said.

After a brief audience with the King, Buckingham Palace announced Starmer had tendered his resignation, which Charles was 'graciously pleased to accept'.

With Starmer officially resigning as UK Prime Minister, he’s landed himself in the history books for a slightly awkward reason.

Former Prime Minister of the UK, Keir Starmer, has handed in his resignation (Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

His departure means Britain now has a record nine living former prime ministers, the highest number the country has ever seen.

The 63-year-old former leader of the Labour Party now joins a growing club that includes John Major, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.

While their time in Downing Street varied wildly, they now all share the same former job title.

The unusually long list of ex-PMs is expected to be on full display later this year, with all nine likely to attend the annual Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in Whitehall.

If they do, it will mark the first time so many former British leaders have gathered for the event.

There’s also quite an age gap across the group given that John Major, now 83, is the oldest living former PM, while Sunak, at just 46, is the youngest.

Andy Burnham has now been appointed as the new Prime Minister of the UK (Anadolu / Contributor / Getty Images)

In Burnham's first Downing Street speech, which he will deliver without the lectern used by previous prime ministers, he will promise to give people 'breathing room' against the rising cost of living.

He will urge the country to be honest about the challenges it faces and call for 'reflection and resolution'.

He will also say he is 'acutely conscious' that the UK has had seven prime ministers in a little over 10 years, stressing the need for more stable and responsible politics and pledging to restore faith in government.

Burnham, 56, enters office promising a '10-year plan for the country' as 'I think that’s what it needs' to address some of the fundamental issues holding the UK back.

"I’m not saying that means I’m setting out to say I’m going to be here for 10 years," he added. "It’s more that we’re not in the right place structurally."