Former United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that he will step down as a Member of Parliament, with the aim of devoting himself to a role focused on international affairs.
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His departure will lead to a by-election in the Holborn and St Pancras constituency in London. The area is a traditional Labour stronghold and has been represented by Starmer since 2015.
Starmer left Downing Street in July. Earlier, he had said he would retain his seat as an MP until the next general election in the United Kingdom, which is not expected to be held until 2029.
His announcement came unexpectedly, just hours before his successor, Andy Burnham, was due to make his debut in the House of Commons. Starmer explained that the decision was linked to his desire to focus on international relations and the fight against violence against women and girls.
Speaking to the Camden New Journal, he described representing the London constituency for 11 years as a “great honour and privilege.”
According to Starmer, the time had now come to “pass the baton to a successor,” which he described as the “right time” to end his involvement in Parliament.
“It is a great honour and privilege to have represented this constituency for 11 years. Now it is time to pass the baton to a successor,” he said.
He said his future work would include international issues such as defence, security, trade and technology.
“I will now focus on other things, and these will be international issues, including defence, security, trade and technology, in a rapidly changing world,” Starmer said.
The former prime minister also stressed that he would continue his efforts to combat violence against women and girls, an area in which he has been involved for many years.
“It is work I began before I became an MP, and it is work I look forward to continuing even after I am no longer an MP. So, on the one hand, international issues and, on the other, continuing my work against violence against women and girls,” Starmer said.
