Former UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will resign as the Member of Parliament for the Holborn and St Pancras constituency, triggering a by-election in the London seat.
Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation earlier this summer after losing his party’s support amid dismal local election results, leading to his replacement as prime minister by Andy Burnham.
In an interview with the Camden New Journal, Starmer said the time was now «right» to leave the House of Commons to focus on new work in international affairs.
He stated it had been a «huge honor and privilege to represent the best constituency in the country» and recalled that he had once succeeded Frank Dobson, whom he described as «a fantastic MP for the area and a member of the last Labour government».
Starmer said he would now focus on «international issues, including defense, security, trade and technology in a rapidly changing world». He will also continue his work tackling violence against women and girls, calling it an «incredibly important» issue for him. He began this work before becoming an MP and plans to continue it after leaving Parliament.
Starmer has already informed the local Labour Party branch of his decision to leave Parliament after 11 years representing the north London constituency.
Legacy and political career
In his statement, Starmer noted that his legacy as an MP and prime minister would continue to benefit the constituency. Among his achievements, he cited the introduction of free school meals and the removal of the two-child limit on welfare payments.
He also thanked everyone he worked with on key issues for the constituency, including «affordable housing, first-class education and tackling knife crime through Camden’s youth support program».
Starmer became prime minister in July 2024 after Labour’s landslide victory in the general election. However, during his time in office, the government’s popularity plummeted amid growing dissatisfaction with his leadership.
Labour suffered two consecutive record defeats in local elections, with Starmer’s party losing 1,496 councilors across England and control of 38 councils.
Andy Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield by-election effectively kickstarted the leadership contest and served as the final push for Starmer’s long-expected resignation.
In a statement on X, Starmer said it was time to «pass the baton to a successor».
He added: «Over the summer, I have had time to think about my future. I have decided that now is the right time to step down as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras and pass the baton to a successor».
Reflecting on his time as prime minister, Starmer again mentioned Labour’s 2024 election victory and said: «Whoever is fortunate enough to be the Labour candidate here will have my full support, and I will continue to support the prime minister and this Labour government».
In July, two men were jailed for conspiring to carry out arson attacks on property and a car linked to Starmer. The attacks were believed to have been ordered on behalf of Russia.
Party reactions and upcoming by-election
The Conservatives said Starmer’s decision to leave Parliament was «another U-turn».
Conservative Party Chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: «While we disagreed with almost every decision Sir Keir Starmer made, I wish him and his family all the best for the future. It is fitting that his final act as an MP is another U-turn, having previously promised to stay on».
He added that Starmer’s decision would mean «an expensive by-election for taxpayers at a time when Andy Burnham and John Healey are planning tax rises for hardworking families across the country».
The Conservatives said they looked forward to giving the people of Holborn and St Pancras the chance to vote for a stronger economy and a stronger country in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Sky News reported that the Green Party has not ruled out fielding its leader, Zack Polanski, in the by-election, which could provide him with a path to Parliament.
Polanski is currently a member of the London Assembly and has not previously stood in a by-election.
A Green Party spokesperson said: «Zack has always been clear that he would like to become an MP for London. London has been his home for over 20 years».
According to The Independent UK
