Former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday (June 30) that he would step down as the Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras in London after 11 years, paving the way for a by-election. The announcement came six weeks after he resigned as Prime Minister following a loss of support among lawmakers from the ruling Labour Party.
On social media, Starmer wrote: "It’s time to step aside and focus on other matters: international issues including defense, security, trade, and technology in a rapidly changing world."
As Labour leader, Starmer led the party to a landslide victory in the 2024 general election, ending 14 years of Conservative rule. However, within two years, policy reversals, budget cuts, a diplomatic scandal, pressure from the far-right Reform UK, and the rise of Andy Burnham—who became Britain’s seventh Prime Minister in a decade—eroded Starmer’s authority and forced him out.
Earlier, Starmer had said he would remain an MP until the next general election. But he told the Camden New Journal, a local newspaper in his North London constituency, that he had changed his mind and intended to leave Parliament after 11 years, including six as Labour leader. The newspaper did not give a specific timeline for the by-election in Holborn and St Pancras.
Despite declining domestic popularity, foreign affairs are seen as Starmer’s strength, particularly his close ties with European Union leaders after Brexit, especially with French President Emmanuel Macron. The two established the so-called "Coalition of the Willing" to support Ukraine.
Starmer held his seat in the 2024 election with a majority of more than 11,500 votes, although independent candidate Andrew Feinstein—who focused on opposing Israel’s war in Gaza and Labour’s support for it—secured nearly 19% of the vote.
Burnham’s rise to power has boosted Labour in the polls, but he faces tougher challenges as Parliament reconvenes on Tuesday.
