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Former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Tuesday that he would be resigning as a Member of Parliament as he shifts his focus to “international affairs.”
In a statement shared on social media, the Labour MP for the central London constituency of Holborn and St Pancras said it was the “right time” to step down and “hand the baton over to a successor.”
“It is now time to step aside and focus on other issues: international affairs including defence, security, trade and technology in a fast changing world,” Starmer said, adding that that he would continue to give his “full support” to current Prime Minister Andy Burnham and his government.
His resignation will now trigger a by-election.
Starmer, who had been in the seat since May 2015, went on to become Labour leader in 2020, before leading the party to a landslide general election win in 2024.
As prime minister, he pushed a return to closer relations with Europe and made international relations a key part of his agenda, drawing criticism from some who dubbed him “never here Keir.”
Starmer, a qualified barrister, had pledged to put Britain at the heart of Europe as debate around the UK’s 2016 Brexit vote once again flared around the country, in what he billed as a plan to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and create new opportunities for young people.
But following disastrous local election results in May and mounting pressure from MPs, Starmer resigned as leader of the Labour party in June, paving the way for Burnham’s return to Westminster and ultimately Downing Street.