Starmer Steps Down as MP

Former UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced he will step down as a Member of Parliament, ending his 11-year representation of the London constituency of Holborn and St Pancras.

The decision will trigger a by-election in the Labour stronghold, which Sir Keir has held since 2015, after he previously said he intended to remain an MP until the next general election expected in 2029.

Announcing his resignation, Sir Keir said it was the “right time” to leave Parliament and focus on international affairs and his long-standing work on violence against women and girls.

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“It has been a huge honour and privilege to represent Holborn and St Pancras for 11 years,” he told the Camden New Journal, adding that he was ready to “pass the baton to a successor”.

Sir Keir said his future work would focus on “international affairs including defence, security, trade and technology in a fast-changing world”. He added that he would continue working on efforts to combat violence against women and girls, describing it as an issue that “matters to me hugely”.

The announcement came shortly before his successor as Labour leader, Andy Burnham, was due to make his first appearance in the House of Commons as prime minister.

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The move drew criticism from Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake, who accused Sir Keir of making “another U-turn” after promising to remain in Parliament. He also criticised the cost of holding another by-election.

Holborn and St Pancras remains a Labour stronghold, with Sir Keir winning the seat by more than 11,000 votes in the 2024 general election. However, the Greens are expected to mount a strong challenge after finishing second in recent local election results across wards within the constituency.

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Green Party leader Zack Polanski has been linked with a possible bid for the seat, with a party spokesperson saying he had “always made it clear he would like to be a London MP”.

Sir Keir’s departure marks a break from recent tradition among former UK prime ministers. While Rishi Sunak and Theresa May remained MPs after leaving Downing Street, Boris Johnson and David Cameron resigned their parliamentary seats shortly after their premierships ended.

The former prime minister has not confirmed what international role he may pursue, but global diplomacy and security issues dominated his time in office.

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