Keir Starmer resigns as MP with by-election to be triggered for his constituency – weeks after standing down as PM

Share on X (Opens in new window) X Share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook 5 comments 5 SIR Keir Starmer is quitting as an MP – triggering a by-election battle in London. The former PM said it was the “right time” to leave Parliament after 11 years representing Holborn and St Pancras. Sir Keir Starmer was first elected to the Commons in 2015 after previously serving as Director of Public Prosecutions Credit: Reuters Sir Keir left Downing Street at the end of July Credit: AP Photo/Thomas Krych Advertisement Sir Keir, who left Downing Street at the end of July, said he was ready to “pass the baton to a successor” and focus on a new career on the international stage. He plans to work on defence, security, trade and technology as well as continuing his campaign against violence towards women and girls. Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. Sir Keir has already informed his local Labour constituency party of his decision, with the party now starting the process of selecting a candidate to replace him. Sir Keir told the Camden New Journal: “It has been a huge honour and privilege to represent the best constituency in the country and to have taken over from Frank Dobson, who was such a great constituency MP and a member of the last Labour government. “I will now focus on other things and that will be international affairs including defence, security, trade and technology in a fast-changing world. “I will also continue, as I have done for a long time now with others, work on combating violence against women and girls; that is an issue that matters to me hugely. “It’s work I started before I became an MP and it’s work I’m keen to continue after I’m an MP. “So international affairs on the one hand, and continuing my work on violence against women and girls on the other.” Advertisement Most read in The Sun TRAGIC TOT Girl, 2, drowned in pond on Xmas Day after going missing for 'matter of minutes' ARACH ATTACK Sex-crazed spiders to invade UK homes this September – 7 tips to keep them out MANO-SMEAR Rented cars, pals' yachts & 'less than £6k in bank'…Andrew Tate’s wealth lies Sir Keir was first elected to the Commons in 2015 after previously serving as Director of Public Prosecutions. He went on to become Labour leader in 2020 after the party’s disastrous 2019 general election defeat under Jeremy Corbyn . Four years later he led Labour to a landslide victory and entered No10 as Prime Minister. But he left Downing Street at the end of July, with Andy Burnham succeeding him as PM. Sir Keir defended his record in office, telling his local newspaper: ““I’m proud of what we delivered. Advertisement “I’ve achieved it by being a locally based MP with a fantastically supportive CLP. Without them, it wouldn’t be possible for me to step up and lead the Labour Party and then change the Labour Party to face the country and put it in a position to win the election and be in government.” The Tories said Sir Keir’s decision to step down marked “another U-turn”. Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: “It is fitting that his final act as a Member of Parliament is yet another U-turn having pledged to stay on. “The decision to stand down will mean a costly by-election for taxpayers at a time when Andy Burnham and John Healey are plotting tax rises on hardworking families across the country. “The Conservatives look forward to giving the people of Holborn and St Pancras a chance to vote for a stronger economy and a stronger country in the weeks ahead.” Advertisement Sir Keir’s departure will now trigger a by-election in what has traditionally been a safe Labour seat. But the Greens will see the contest as an opportunity to make inroads ito Labour’s support in the capital. Asked whether Green leader Zack Polanski could stand, a party spokesman fuelled speculation by saying: “Zack has always made it clear he would like to be a London MP. London has been his home for over 20 years.” RECOMMENDED STORIES In the local elections in May, the party more than doubled its share of the vote across the capital to 22.3 per cent and won 297 council seats as Labour suffered heavy losses. The Greens also seized control of former Labour strongholds including Hackney, Waltham Forest and Lewisham. Advertisement 5 comments 5