Labour Party Leadership Resignation Announcement

But I know the question being asked now is not who was best placed to change the Labour

Party to take us into power and to begin the vital work of improving lives for millions

of people. Those questions have been answered. The question my party is asking now is whether

I am 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.

Every decision I have taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is

why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party. I have spoken to His Majesty the King

this morning to inform him of my decision. I will ask the National Executive Committee

of the Labour Party to set out a timetable with nominations opening on 9 July and completed

by the summer recess. In the case of a contest, this will ensure a new leader is in place

before Parliament returns in September.