Former UK PM Keir Starmer to step down as MP: Report

Keir Starmer has been the MP for Holborn and St Pancras for eleven years (Reuters)Former UK prime minister and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer is set to step down as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras after 11 years, bringing an end to his parliamentary career in the constituency.The New Journal reported that Starmer has informed local Labour constituency party officials of his decision to leave the House of Commons and focus on international affairs, including defence, security, trade and technology. He is also expected to continue his work on tackling violence against women and girls.Starmer said he had reflected on his future after leaving Downing Street at the end of July and believed it was the “right time” to leave Parliament and “pass the baton to a successor”.“It has been a huge honour and privilege to represent the best constituency in the country,” Starmer told the newspaper, adding that his next phase would focus on international affairs and his long-standing work on violence against women and girls.His resignation will trigger a by-election in Holborn and St Pancras, a seat that Labour has traditionally held comfortably. The vacancy will be only the second in the constituency in 47 years and is expected to attract significant interest among Labour candidates.Starmer, who became the constituency’s MP in 2015, defended his record during his time in Parliament and highlighted several initiatives he said had benefited local residents.He pointed to the opening of breakfast clubs, the expansion of free school meals, an increase in the minimum wage and additional GPs. He also cited the lifting of the two-child benefit cap, the Renters’ Rights Act and the Employment Rights Act.“I’m proud of what we delivered,” Starmer said, crediting the local Labour organisation and his constituency staff for supporting him throughout his political career.Starmer entered Parliament after succeeding longtime Labour MP Frank Dobson, who had represented the constituency for 35 years. He later served in Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet before becoming Labour leader in 2020.Under Starmer, Labour secured a landslide victory at the 2024 general election, returning the party to government after 14 years in opposition.He said he would not publicly endorse a candidate to succeed him, following the example of Dobson, but would support whoever is eventually selected by the constituency Labour Party.“The Constituency Labour Party has got many, many fantastic people and there will be no shortage of first class candidates,” Starmer said.