Starmer to step down as Holborn and St Pancras MP
Former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is to stand down as an MP on the eve of Andy Burnham’s first Prime Minister’s Questions, triggering a by-election in his Holborn and St Pancras constituency.
In a statement, Starmer said he felt it was the “right time” to step down as an MP and focus on new work on international affairs.
His departure will open up a contest for a seat traditionally regarded as a Labour stronghold, with Green Party leader Zack Polanski among the names who could potentially be linked with the by-election.
What Starmer said
In a statement posted to X, the ex-prime minister said: “It’s been an honour and privilege to represent the best constituency in the country since taking over from the great Frank Dobson 11 years ago.
“But it is now time to step aside and focus on other issues: international affairs including defence, security, trade and technology in a fast-changing world. I will also continue working with others as I have done over many decades to tackle violence against women and girls.
“As I do that, I will always remain immensely proud to have represented the place Vic, the kids and I call home.”
He also thanked his constituency Labour Party team “who have always stood firmly by me, and given me the support I needed as I stood for leader of the Labour Party and then as I took my party from political, moral and financial ruin to an historic landslide election win in 2024 and two years as prime minister when we stabilised the economy, rebuilt our public services, invested record amounts in our defence and security, began lifting hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty and transformed Britain’s reputation with international partners”.
He continued: “There will now be a process to appoint my successor ahead of a by-election. Whoever is lucky enough to become the Labour candidate here will have my full support and backing, and I will continue to give my full support to the Prime Minister and this Labour government.”
Political background
The former prime minister, announced his decision in an interview with the Camden New Journal.
Sir Keir said: “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.”
Sir Keir first entered Parliament in 2015, succeeding former Labour cabinet minister Frank Dobson. He became Labour leader in 2020 and led the party to its landslide general election victory in 2024 before leaving Downing Street earlier this summer.
After he vacated Downing Street in July, No 10 said he would stay on as an MP until the next general election.
Reaction from the Conservatives
The Tories said his decision to step down marked “another U-turn”.
Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: “Whilst we have disagreed with almost all of Sir Keir Starmer’s decisions, I wish him and his family well for the future.
“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 are 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.”
What happens next
Labour will now begin the process of selecting a candidate to contest the resulting by-election.
His successor in Downing Street, Andy Burnham, prepares to enter the House of Commons as prime minister for the first time since taking over from Sir Keir in July.
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