Former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is to stand down as an MP, bringing his 11-year parliamentary career to an end and triggering a by-election in his London constituency that will provide the first electoral test of Andy Burnham’s new government.
Sir Keir said he had decided to resign as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras because it was the “right time” to leave Parliament and concentrate on international affairs, including defence, security, trade and technology.
In an interview with the Camden New Journal, he said: “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.
“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 resignation will trigger only the second vacancy in Holborn and St Pancras in 47 years, turning what has traditionally been a safe Labour seat into an early test of the political landscape under Burnham.
Sir Keir announced in June that he would leave the Labour leadership, paving the way for a leadership contest that ultimately resulted in Burnham becoming prime minister.
Burnham entered Downing Street in July after Sir Keir lost the support of Labour MPs following poor local election results.
The former prime minister repeated his explanation for leaving Parliament, saying: “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. 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 decision immediately drew criticism from the Conservatives, who accused Sir Keir of reversing an earlier commitment to remain in Parliament.
Kevin Hollinrake, chairman of the Conservative Party, said: “Whilst we have disagreed with almost all of Sir Keir Starmer’s decisions, I wish him and his family well for the future.
“It is fitting that his final act as a Member of Parliament is yet another u-turn having pledged to stay on.
“The decision to stand down will mean a costly by-election for taxpayers at a time when Andy Burnham are John Healey are plotting tax rises on hardworking families across the country.
“The Conservatives look forward to giving the people of Holborn and St Pancras a chance to vote for a Stronger Economy and a Stronger Country in the weeks ahead.”
Sir Keir’s departure marks the latest stage in the rapid political transition that has taken place at the top of Labour since the start of the summer.
His exit from Parliament will now give Burnham’s government its first opportunity to face voters directly, with the result in Holborn and St Pancras likely to attract close attention from parties across Westminster.
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