Former UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Resign Parliamentary Seat to Focus on International Affairs

Published on 01/09/2026 – 14:49 GMT+2

Former UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday that he will step down as a Member of Parliament to concentrate on international affairs.

In a social media statement, the Labour MP for Holborn and St Pancras said it was the right moment to resign and pass the mantle to a successor.

“It is now time to step aside and concentrate on other matters—international affairs covering defence, security, trade and technology in a rapidly evolving world,” Starmer said, adding that he will continue to fully support Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his government.

His resignation will trigger a by-election.

Starmer, who had held the seat since May 2015, became Labour leader in 2020 and led the party to a landslide general election victory in 2024.

During his premiership, he advocated for renewed ties with Europe and placed international relations at the forefront of his agenda, a stance that earned him the nickname “never here Keir” from critics.

Starmer, a qualified barrister, had pledged to place Britain at the heart of Europe amid renewed debate over the 2016 Brexit vote, presenting it as a strategy to address the cost‑of‑living crisis and create opportunities for young people.

However, after poor local election results in May and increasing pressure from fellow MPs, Starmer stepped down as Labour leader in June, clearing the path for Burnham’s return to Westminster and eventually to Downing Street.

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