Starmer to step down as MP triggering by-election flashpoint

Sir Keir Starmer is to step down as an MP less than two months after leaving Downing Street. The former prime minister will trigger a by-election in his seat of Holborn and St Pancras, despite pledging at the time of his resignation in June that he would serve a full term as an MP. Starmer told his local newspaper, the Camden New Journal, which first revealed his departure, that he had spent the summer reflecting on what lay ahead and was now ready to “pass the baton to a successor”. Shorts He said he would focus on defence and international affairs – prompting speculation that he could take a job at a global institution. The former prime minister was forced to resign in June after Andy Burnham made clear he would challenge him for the top job. Starmer said: “It has been a huge honour and privilege to represent the best constituency in the country and to have taken over from Frank Dobson, who was such a great constituency MP and a member of the last Labour government. “I will now focus on other things and that will be international affairs including defence, security, trade and technology in a fast-changing world. “I will also continue, as I have done for a long time now with others, work on combating violence against women and girls; that is an issue that matters to me hugely. “It’s work I started before I became an MP and it’s work I’m keen to continue after I’m an MP. So international affairs on the one hand, and continuing my work on violence against women and girls on the other.” This story is being updated EXPLORE MORE ON THE TOPICS IN THIS STORY