Keir Starmer, the former British prime minister, has announced he will stand down as a member of parliament — just six weeks after he resigned from government. Starmer made the announcement on Tuesday, saying he was stepping back from his north London seat of Holborn and St Pancras to focus on international issues and charitable causes.
Starmer's departure from parliament
In a written statement, Starmer described representing his constituency as "an honour and privilege" but said the time had come to hand over to a successor. He indicated his future focus would shift to global matters, including defence, security, trade and technology, describing these as priorities in what he called "a fast-changing world."
He also pledged to continue work he has pursued over many decades to address violence against women and girls. Closing his statement on a personal note, Starmer said he would remain "immensely proud" to have represented the area he and his family call home.
By-election to follow formal resignation
A by-election for the Holborn and St Pancras seat will not be scheduled until Starmer formally resigns from the House of Commons. In his statement, he expressed confidence in whoever eventually secures the Labour candidacy for the contest, pledging his full support and backing to that person, as well as to the current prime minister and the broader Labour government.
A rise and fall from power
Starmer led Labour to a historic victory at the 2024 general election, delivering the party its largest parliamentary majority in Britain's modern era. However, his time in government was marked by a steady erosion of public and party support, and he was ultimately unable to maintain his grip on the leadership.
He was replaced as prime minister in July by Andy Burnham, who became Britain's seventh prime minister within a single decade. Starmer's exit from parliament now draws a formal close to his time at the very centre of British political life.
What comes next
With Starmer's formal departure yet to be lodged with the Commons, the precise timing of the by-election remains unclear. His announcement signals a wider transition away from frontline domestic politics, with the former Labour leader pointing to international affairs as the arena in which he intends to remain active going forward.
