Former United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday that he will stand down as member of Parliament from MP for Holborn and St Pancras, reported local newspaper Camden New Journal.
Starmer was the sixth UK PM to resign in the last decade. Starmer announced his resignation as UK PM and Labour Party leader on June 22 and was succeeded by Andy Burnham, who took office on July 20.
Starmer said that he will turn his focus to other things such as defence and international affairs. “I will now focus on other things and that will be international affairs including defence, security, trade and technology in a fast-changing world,” he was quoted as saying.
Earlier reporting noted: The New Journal reported that Starmer has informed local Labour constituency party officials of his decision to leave the House of Commons and focus on international affairs, including defence, security, trade and technology. Following this move, which comes after speculation over whether Starmer will stay as MP afte resigning as PM, a by-election will be conducted in London’s Holborn and St Pancras parliamentary constituency. “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,” he added. He is also expected to continue his work on tackling violence against women and girls.
Earlier reporting noted: Former UK prime minister and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer is set to step down as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras after 11 years, bringing an end to his parliamentary career in the constituency.
Starmer, after his resignation, had told BBC that will continue as MP until next general elections in the country. However, in his statement on Tuesday, he said that he was “ready to pass the baton to a successor” and to focus on “other things”. “I will also continue, as I have done for a long time now with others, to work on combating violence against women and girls; that is an issue that matters to me hugely,” he said. Earlier reporting noted: Starmer said he had reflected on his future after leaving Downing Street at the end of July and believed it was the “right time” to leave Parliament and “pass the baton to a successor”.
