Keir Starmer announces resignation as MP

Former British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced his decision to relinquish his position as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Holborn and St Pancras. This announcement comes in the form of a statement to the Camden New Journal newspaper. Sir Keir expressed his gratitude for having represented the constituency for 11 years, calling it a "huge honour and privilege." However, he has decided to shift his focus towards "international affairs" in the upcoming period.

Sir Keir's decision to step down from his parliamentary role follows his resignation from the Prime Minister's position earlier in the summer of 2026. After he quit as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham assumed the role. Rumours about his continued presence in the MP seat had circulated for weeks.

Initially, Sir Keir had indicated to the BBC in an interview that he would continue as an MP until the next general election. Yet, in his recently released statement, he made it clear he was prepared to "pass the baton to a successor." He further elaborated, "I will now focus on other things, and that will be international affairs, including defence, security, trade, and technology in a fast-changing world."

Additionally, Sir Keir affirmed that he would persist in his advocacy for combating violence against women and girls, an issue that has been of significant importance to him since before he became an MP. He stated, "It’s work I started before I became an MP, and it's work I’m keen to continue after I'm an MP."