Ousted UK PM Keir Starmer quits parliament to focus on international affairs

Former UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday that he will resign from his position as a member of parliament, just six weeks after stepping down as prime minister following his Labour Party's loss of support. Starmer led Labour to a historic victory in 2024, securing one of the largest parliamentary majorities in modern British history after becoming leader four years prior after the party's worst election performance since 1935.

However, despite his early success, Starmer struggled to connect with voters, resulting in his eventual resignation. He had previously stated his intention to remain in parliament until the next general election, but changed his mind and expressed his desire to focus on international affairs. This decision was made evident in a statement he released on X. Despite the decline in public support that led to his departure, Starmer's international diplomacy was regarded as a strength during his tenure as prime minister.

He collaborated closely with French President Emmanuel Macron to establish the Coalition of the Willing to aid Ukraine, re-established relations with China, acknowledged a Palestinian state, and had mixed success in efforts to form ties with then-U.S. President Donald Trump. The report did not disclose an exact timeframe for when an election would be held for Starmer's seat in the Holborn and St Pancras constituency.

He comfortably retained the seat in 2024 with a majority of over 11,500 votes, though an independent candidate opposing Israel's assault on Gaza garnered nearly 19% of the vote. Starmer was replaced as prime minister in July by Andy Burnham, who became Britain's seventh prime minister in a decade. Burnham's ascension has resulted in a poll boost for Labour, but he faces a more challenging situation as parliament reconvenes later on Tuesday.