Is the UK an unstable country? Yesterday, Keir Starmer announced that he would stand down by September at the latest. Some think his successor will face exactly the same problems.
Britain faces seventh PM in 10 years
Another one bites the dust: The Conservative years were marked by constant changes of PM. Now Labour's term is heading the same way. Glossary
Keir Starmer - The leader of the UK Labour Party since 2020 and British prime minister since July 2024.
Uncharismatic - Somebody whose personal qualities do not inspire others.
Andy Burnham - A Labour Party politician and mayor of Greater Manchester since the office was created in 2017. He became an MP again in 2026 after a Labour MP stepped down to allow him to run. The aim was that he could then run for Labour leadership and become prime minister.
MP - Member of Parliament. There are 650 MPs representing people in different areas of the UK.
Bond markets - Bonds are IOUs — promises to repay loans at a later date. Bonds can be bought and sold on the bond markets.
Winter fuel allowance - In parts of the UK, an annual, tax-free payment to pensioners to cover the cost of heating in the winter.
Peter Mandelson - A Labour politician who was a minister under prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. He has resigned from the Labour party over his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
Illiberal - Lacking tolerance.
Palestine - An area located in the Southern Levant region of Western Asia.