Sir Keir Starmer has announced that he will stand down as the Labour MP for Holborn and St Pancras, bringing his 11-year career in the House of Commons to an end and paving the way for a by-election in the north London constituency.
The former Prime Minister told the Camden New Journal that he believed it was the right time to leave Parliament and pass responsibility for the seat to a successor.
Starmer, who has represented Holborn and St Pancras since 2015, said he now intends to focus on international affairs as well as continuing his work combating violence against women and girls.
Starmer says it is the 'right time' to leave Parliament
Starmer confirmed his decision after weeks of speculation over whether he would remain in the Commons following the end of his premiership.
He described representing Holborn and St Pancras as a huge honour and privilege and paid tribute to his predecessor, former Labour Cabinet minister Frank Dobson.
Starmer has informed local Labour constituency staff of his decision.
Former PM plans international affairs work
Starmer said his work after Parliament would include international affairs, identifying defence, security, trade and technology as areas on which he intends to concentrate.
He also said he would continue work on combating violence against women and girls, an issue he worked on before entering Parliament.
Eleven years as Holborn and St Pancras MP
Starmer entered Parliament at the 2015 general election, succeeding Frank Dobson.
He joined Labour's front bench, became Shadow Brexit Secretary in 2016, Labour leader in April 2020 and Prime Minister following Labour's 2024 general election victory.
UK Parliament records show he served as Prime Minister from 5 July 2024 until 20 July 2026 and as Labour leader until 17 July 2026.
Departure will trigger a by-election
Starmer's departure will create a vacancy in Holborn and St Pancras and lead to a parliamentary by-election once the formal process for leaving the Commons has been completed.
Labour will need to select a new candidate for a constituency represented by Starmer for more than a decade.
At the time of his announcement, Parliament's official website continued to list Starmer as the sitting MP. His announcement is therefore an intention to stand down rather than confirmation that the parliamentary vacancy has already formally taken effect.
Starmer previously intended to remain an MP
The decision represents a change from the position immediately following his departure from Downing Street. In June, aides told the Camden New Journal that Starmer had no intention of standing down as an MP.
He has now concluded that the time is right to leave the Commons altogether.
End of a rapid political rise
Starmer entered the Commons in 2015 after previously serving as Director of Public Prosecutions, became Labour leader five years later and Prime Minister four years after that.
Attention will now turn to the timing of his formal departure, Labour's selection of a successor and the date of the resulting Holborn and St Pancras by-election.