Ousted UK Prime Minister Starmer quits Parliament to focus on international affairs

Keir Starmer will leave Parliament just six weeks after leaving Downing Street, ending his political career in the constituency he represented since 2015.

Starmer told the Camden New Journal that he had changed his mind about remaining an MP until the next general election. He said he intended to "concentrate on international affairs" and confirmed his resignation in a statement on X.

His departure follows a rapid reversal in fortunes. Starmer led Labour to power in 2024 with one of the largest parliamentary majorities in modern British history, after becoming party leader four years earlier when Labour suffered its worst election result since 1935. But several damaging U-turns, along with a failure to connect with voters, steadily weakened his position.

Foreign policy offered a contrasting record. During his premiership, Starmer worked with French President Emmanuel Macron to establish the Coalition of the Willing in support of Ukraine, reset relations with China and recognised a Palestinian state. His efforts to build ties with US President Donald Trump produced mixed results.

The timing of a by-election in Holborn and St Pancras has not been given. Starmer won the seat by just over 11,500 votes in 2024, while an independent candidate focused largely on opposition to Israel’s war in Gaza received nearly 19% of the vote. Andy Burnham replaced Starmer as prime minister in July and has since seen Labour’s poll numbers improve, though Parliament’s return presents an early test.

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concentrate on international affairs