Keir Starmer stands down as MP, triggering a Holborn and St Pancras by-election

Keir Starmer announced he is standing down as MP for Holborn and St Pancras.

The resignation triggers a by-election in Holborn and St Pancras.

Starmer had previously said he would remain an MP until the next general election.

Starmer left Downing Street in July after losing the support of Labour MPs and was replaced by Andy Burnham.

The announcement came hours before Burnham’s first Commons appearance as prime minister.

Starmer said it was the right time to leave the Commons and pass the baton to a successor.

Starmer said it had been an honour and privilege to represent Holborn and St Pancras after Frank Dobson.

Starmer said he would focus on international affairs including defence, security, trade and technology.

Starmer said he would continue work combating violence against women and girls.

Starmer said that after reflecting over the summer he had decided now was the right time to step down.

Starmer posted a resignation statement on social media.

Starmer thanked his constituency Labour team for backing him through the leadership, the 2024 landslide, and two years as prime minister.

Starmer said the Labour by-election candidate and Prime Minister Burnham would have his full support.

Burnham said Starmer’s leadership took Labour from one of its worst defeats to its best victories and created a platform to change the country.

Burnham highlighted Starmer’s work with Ukraine and the Hillsborough Law.

Burnham said Starmer had given the country a lifetime of public service, particularly for those fighting for justice.

Conservative chairman Kevin Hollinrake called the resignation another U-turn after Starmer pledged to stay, and said it would mean a costly by-election for taxpayers.

Hollinrake said Andy Burnham and John Healey were plotting tax rises.

Conservatives said they look forward to contesting Holborn and St Pancras.

Kemi Badenoch said she could understand why Starmer would not want to spend time with Labour MPs who treated him badly after he won them their seats.

Labour expects to select a by-election candidate by 9 September.

Starmer has represented Holborn and St Pancras since 2015.

Holborn and St Pancras has long been a Labour stronghold.

Starmer held the seat in 2024 with a majority of more than 11,000 votes, reported as 11,572.

As Labour leader Starmer led the party to a 2024 landslide after years of Conservative government.

The Green Party is likely to be Labour’s main challenger in the by-election.

Green leader Zack Polanski is considering standing; a spokesperson said he has always made clear he would like to be a London MP.

Starmer follows former prime ministers including David Cameron and Tony Blair in leaving the Commons soon after No. 10.

Rishi Sunak remains the MP for Richmond and Northallerton.

Burnham’s accession has been followed by a poll bounce for Labour.