Keir Starmer is to quit as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras, saying it is the right time to leave the Commons and focus on international affairs. His departure will trigger a byelection.
Key facts
- Keir Starmer is standing down as MP for Holborn and St Pancras.
- He resigned as prime minister in July.
- Starmer told the Camden New Journal he wants to focus on international affairs.
- His departure will trigger a byelection in the constituency.
- The Guardian reports the Greens' Zack Polanski could target the byelection.
Keir Starmer is to quit as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras, saying it is the right time for him to leave the House of Commons, according to the Guardian.
Starmer, who resigned as prime minister in July, told the Camden New Journal he wanted to focus on international affairs and “pass the baton to a successor.”
The former prime minister framed the decision as coming at the right moment, telling the local newspaper it was the right time for him to go.
His departure from the Commons will trigger a byelection in the Holborn and St Pancras constituency, the Guardian reports.
According to the Guardian, the resulting byelection is a contest that the Greens’ Zack Polanski could target.
The move marks a further step in Starmer’s exit from frontline domestic politics following his resignation as prime minister earlier in the summer, as he signals a shift toward work on the international stage.
Why it matters
Starmer's decision to leave the Commons formally closes a chapter of his domestic political career following his resignation as prime minister. The resulting byelection opens a competitive contest in his London seat, with potential implications for the balance of parties in Parliament.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Keir Starmer standing down as an MP?
Starmer told the Camden New Journal that it is the right time for him to leave the Commons and that he wants to focus on international affairs and pass the baton to a successor.
What happens to his seat now?
His departure will trigger a byelection in the Holborn and St Pancras constituency, according to the Guardian.
When did Starmer resign as prime minister?
According to the Guardian, Starmer resigned as prime minister in July.