Keir Starmer Standing Down As MP To Work In International Affairs
Keir Starmer said he wants to build on work in international affairs and tackling violence against women and girls (Alamy)
2 min read
Keir Starmer is standing down as Labour MP for Holborn and St Pancras, after having resigned as prime minister in June.
Starmer told his local newspaper, Camden New Journal, that he felt it was the “right time” to leave the House of Commons and is planning to take up work in international affairs. The former PM has been MP for Holborn and St Pancras since the 2015 general election.
The North London MP stood down as prime minister in July to make way for Andy Burnham to succeed him as party leader and PM, after two years in office.
“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," Starmer said.
"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.”
The Labour Party will now begin a selection process to find a by-election candidate for the seat.
Zack Polanski's Green Party is expected to campaign hard in the constituency after making significant electoral gains in London in recent months.
A spokesperson for the Greens hinted that Polanski, a London Assembly Member, could put himself forward to be the party's candidate. "Zack has always made it clear he would like to be a London MP. London has been his home for over 20 years," they said.
Speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday afternoon, Burnham said Starmer had "given this country a lifetime of public service" and paid particular tribute to the Hillsborough Law, passed by the former prime minister, describing it as "a moment I will never forget".
"His leadership took our party from one of its worst defeats to its best victories, and created a platform to change this country for the better. We will use it well, and we wish his family the very best for the future," the PM added.
