(Reuters) – Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday he was quitting, paving the way for what is expected to ​be an orderly transfer of power to frontrunner Andy Burnham, who could become Britain’s seventh leader in 10 years as early as next month.

In an emotional speech, Starmer said had listened to his governing Labour Party and realised that he was no longer the man who should lead it into a national election due in 2029.

After making his announcement on the steps of his Downing Street office and London residence, Starmer’s move to stand down could have triggered a divisive leadership contest, but several Labour lawmakers said they now expected more of a coronation.