Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation as prime minister outside Downing Street on Monday, following a loss of confidence from his Members of Parliament and key cabinet members. His departure comes after a period in government that saw significant shifts in public opinion and economic performance.

Starmer took office in July 2024, inheriting a complex political and economic landscape. His premiership has been closely scrutinized, with policy analysts and the public weighing his administration's record against its initial pledges. The BBC Verify team has examined his time in government across several key areas, including public approval, economic growth, and immigration.

Public opinion polls taken shortly after Starmer assumed office indicated a challenging start. In August 2024, a YouGov poll revealed only 36% of respondents viewed his performance favorably, with 43% expressing disapproval, resulting in a net rating of minus 7. By the current month, this sentiment had significantly worsened, with 74% of people rating his performance poorly and just 18% positively, a net rating of minus 56. Further polling by Ipsos suggests Starmer's personal approval ratings have fallen below those of recent predecessors, including Rishi Sunak, Boris Johnson, and Theresa May.

The economic performance under Starmer's premiership presented a mixed picture. Labour's manifesto had committed to achieving the highest sustained economic growth in the G7. Between the second quarter of 2024 and the first quarter of 2026, the UK economy grew by 2.3%, a rate faster than most G7 nations, with only the US showing stronger growth at 3.7% over the same period. The UK economy also registered the fastest growth within the G7 in the first quarter of 2026, expanding by 0.6%.

However, future economic prospects appear less optimistic. Many forecasters anticipate a slowdown, partly attributed to global energy market volatility stemming from the US conflict with Iran. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects UK GDP growth to fall to 0.8% for the entirety of 2026, a rate lower than anticipated for the US (2.3%), Canada (1.5%), and France (0.9%). The IMF also forecasts weaker UK growth compared to the US and Canada in 2027.

On the issue of immigration, Starmer had pledged to dismantle the gangs orchestrating small boat crossings. Despite this commitment, Channel crossings have persisted throughout his tenure. The total number of crossings recorded last year was the second highest on record, surpassed only by the peak in 2022 under the previous Conservative government.

Starmer's resignation has triggered discussions about potential leadership contenders within the Labour party. The process for a leadership contest is now expected to commence, with various figures reportedly preparing to vie for the top position.

The coming days will likely see further analysis of Starmer's policy decisions and their impact, alongside heightened speculation about the future direction of the Labour party and the country's political leadership.