Sir Keir Starmer has announced that he will stand down as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras, setting up a by-election for the London constituency. In a statement to the Camden New Journal, the Prime Minister-turned-backbencher said representing the area for 11 years had been a “huge honour and privilege” and that he would now turn his attention to “international affairs”. His decision comes after he resigned as prime minister earlier in the summer, with Andy Burnham taking over in Downing Street. Starmer To Focus On International AffairsStarmer said he was prepared to “pass the baton to a successor” and outlined areas he intends to prioritise outside Parliament. He said his work would include international affairs covering defence, security, trade and technology. He added that he would continue an ongoing campaign to combat violence against women and girls, describing the issue as one he wanted to pursue further after leaving the seat. Starmer said he began that work before becoming an MP and intended to continue it in parallel with his other responsibilities. By-Election To Be Set After Formal ResignationA date for the by-election will not be set until Starmer formally resigns his Commons seat. The announcement is also scheduled to land hours before Burnham makes his first statement in the House of Commons as prime minister, setting out his priorities and taking questions from MPs. Starmer had previously indicated he would remain an MP following his resignation as prime minister. In a BBC interview shortly afterwards, he said he would stay in the Commons until the next general election, which must be held by 2029. His latest move follows weeks of speculation about whether he would remain as MP after stepping down from No 10. Labour Seat With Large MajorityHolborn and St Pancras has long been regarded as a Labour stronghold. Starmer won a majority of more than 11,000 votes at the 2024 general election. The Conservative party has criticised the decision. Kevin Hollinrake, the Conservative chairman, accused Starmer of making another “U-turn” after having pledged to stay on, arguing that it would result in a costly by-election for taxpayers. While it is not clear what specific international role, if any, Starmer may take up, global issues and diplomacy were prominent during his time as prime minister. In an interview in July after he left office, he was asked whether he had another major political or international job in mind, and he said he did not know. Precedent After Leaving Downing StreetBy standing down soon after quitting as prime minister, Starmer has departed from some recent patterns for former Downing Street occupants. Rishi Sunak remains the Conservative MP for Richmond and Northallerton two years after leaving No 10, while Liz Truss stayed on as a backbencher until she lost her seat to Labour at the 2024 election. Theresa May remained an MP for five years after leaving Downing Street. Boris Johnson and David Cameron, however, both quit the Commons shortly afterwards. Join the discussion? 1 September 2026
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