Former UK PM Keir Starmer To Leave Parliament, Turn Focus To International Affair

Former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that he will resign as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras, ending his 11-year stint in Parliament and triggering a by-election in the London constituency.

Starmer, who stepped down as Labour leader earlier this summer after two turbulent years in office, said Tuesday that he wanted to turn his attention to international affairs.

“It is now time to step aside and focus on other issues: international affairs including defence, security, trade and technology in a fast-changing world,” Starmer said in a statement on social media.

Starmer had represented Holborn and St Pancras for 11 years, including six years as Labour leader. His decision has been communicated to the Labour Party, according to the Camden New Journal.

Andy Burnham was brought in as prime minister in July after Starmer resigned amid growing pressure from Labour MPs.

A former human rights lawyer, Starmer was credited with rebuilding Labour as a centre-left political force and leading the party to a landslide victory in the 2024 general election.

However, his time in Downing Street was marked by falling popularity and a series of political setbacks. Mounting criticism from within his own party eventually led to his resignation, paving the way for another change in Britain’s recent succession of prime ministers.