Former British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has announced his resignation as Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras, bringing his parliamentary career to an end and opening the way for a by-election in the London constituency.
Starmer made the announcement on Tuesday, saying he believed the time was right to relinquish his seat and allow a successor to take over.
“Now is the right time to step down as MP for Holborn and St Pancras and hand the baton over to a successor,” he said in a statement.
The former Labour leader said his next chapter would be centred on international affairs, with particular attention to defence, security, trade and technology as the global environment continues to change rapidly.
His decision means that residents of Holborn and St Pancras will soon return to the polls to elect a new representative in Parliament.
Starmer also pledged his support for the Labour Party candidate who will be selected to contest the seat, saying the eventual nominee would receive his “full support and backing”.
The resignation comes just months after Starmer stepped down as leader of the governing Labour Party in June.
His departure from the leadership paved the way for a change at the top of the party, with Andy Burnham confirmed as the new Labour leader in July and subsequently assuming the office of British prime minister.
Starmer’s decision to leave Parliament marks a significant shift in his political career, as he now signals an intention to devote his experience to international issues spanning security, defence, global trade and emerging technology.
