𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced he is quitting as an MP to focus on international affairs.

Sir Keir’s resignation in the London seat of Holborn and St Pancras will trigger a by-election in Andy Burnham’s first electoral test.

In an interview with the Camden New Journal, Sir Keir said it was the “right time” to step down as an MP and focus on “international affairs”.

He told the paper: “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.”

Sir Keir has informed local Labour constituency party staff of his decision to leave parliament after 11 years representing the the seat.

The ex-PM 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.”

Sir Keir announced in June that he would quit as Labour Party leader, paving the way for a contest which crowned Mr Burnham as Prime Minister.

Mr Burnham took over the keys to No10 in July after Sir Keir lost the support of his party in the wake of dire local election results.

Kevin Hollinrake MP, 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.”