Former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that he will step down as a member of parliament for Holborn and St Pancras, ending his 11-year representation of the London constituency.
Gatekeepers News reports that Starmer, who resigned as prime minister in June and left office in July after losing support within the Labour Party, said he had changed his earlier decision to remain in parliament until the next general election, scheduled for 2029.
In a statement on Tuesday, Starmer said he would now focus on international affairs, particularly defence, security, trade and technology. He also said he would continue his work on combating violence against women and girls, an issue he has worked on for many years.
“I will now focus on other things and that will be international affairs including defence, security, trade and technology in a fast-changing world,” Starmer said.
His resignation as MP will trigger a by-election in Holborn and St Pancras, where he has served since being elected in 2015.
Starmer’s departure marks the end of his parliamentary career after more than a decade. He became Labour leader in 2020 and led the party to a landslide victory in the 2024 general election, ending 14 years of Conservative rule.
His tenure as prime minister was later overshadowed by declining public support, policy reversals and growing pressure within the Labour Party, eventually leading to his resignation earlier this year.
Starmer’s decision to leave Parliament also comes as his successor, Prime Minister Andy Burnham, prepares to make his first statement in the House of Commons.
The move means a by-election will be held to determine Starmer’s successor as MP for Holborn and St Pancras.
