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Sir Keir Starmer has declared his intention to resign as the Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras, an announcement that will lead to a by-election in this London constituency. In a statement given to the Camden New Journal, Sir Keir reflected on his 11 years representing the area, describing it as a “huge honour and privilege.” He also revealed his plans to shift his focus towards “international affairs” moving forward.
This decision comes after Sir Keir stepped down from his role as prime minister earlier in the summer, with Andy Burnham succeeding him. For weeks, there was widespread speculation regarding whether he would continue as an MP following his resignation as PM. Shortly after his departure from Downing Street, Sir Keir told the BBC that he intended to remain in Parliament until the next general election, scheduled no later than 2029. However, his recent statement indicates he now feels the time has come to “pass the baton to a successor.”
Sir Keir elaborated on his future ambitions, stating he will concentrate on international topics such as defence, security, trade, and technology amid a rapidly evolving world. Alongside this, he will maintain his longstanding commitment to combatting violence against women and girls. He emphasized the personal significance of this cause, noting it is “work I started before I became an MP and it’s work I’m keen to continue after I’m an MP.”
The timing of Sir Keir’s announcement coincides with Andy Burnham’s upcoming first speech in the House of Commons as prime minister, where he will outline his priorities and answer questions from fellow MPs. The exact date for the ensuing by-election will be confirmed once Sir Keir formally resigns his Commons seat. Historically, Holborn and St Pancras has been a safe seat for Labour, with Sir Keir winning by a majority of over 11,000 votes in the 2024 general election. However, Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake criticized the move as “another U-turn” from Sir Keir, accusing him of causing “a costly by-election for taxpayers.”
While the specifics of Sir Keir’s future role in international affairs remain unclear, diplomacy and global issues were prominent aspects of his tenure as prime minister. When asked in his departure interview whether he had another significant political or international role ahead, he responded candidly, “I don’t know is the honest answer to that.” His decision to step down so soon after resigning as PM is notable, as it diverges from the recent pattern followed by other former prime ministers. For instance, Rishi Sunak remains an MP two years after leaving Downing Street, and Liz Truss stayed on as a backbencher until she lost her seat in 2024. Theresa May continued in Parliament for five years after her premiership. In contrast, Boris Johnson and David Cameron both left the Commons relatively quickly following their resignations as prime minister
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