Ousted UK PM Starmer quits parliament to focus on international affairs

Keir Starmer, the former UK Prime Minister, has announced his departure from the House of Commons, six weeks after relinquishing his position as leader of the Labour Party. Starmer, who led Labour to victory in 2024 with one of the largest parliamentary majorities in modern British history after a record-low performance in 2020, struggled to resonate with voters and saw his support wane.

He had previously stated his intention to remain an MP until the next general election, but upon learning that decision had changed, he declared his focus on international affairs, announcing his resignation through a statement on X. Despite his domestic struggles, Starmer's foreign policy initiatives under his premiership, including cooperation with French President Emmanuel Macron and China, recognition of a Palestinian state, and efforts to strengthen ties with the US, were viewed favorably.

However, his successor, Andy Burnham, has yet to set a timeline for the upcoming election in Starmer's Holborn and St Pancras constituency. Starmer's tenure as Prime Minister was ended by Burnham in July, marking the seventh leadership change in a decade for Britain.