Former British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has resigned from his position as a member of the UK parliament just months after resigning from the PM office.
Previously, the former Labour Party leader has announced that he will retain his position as an MP until the next general elections in the UK, which are scheduled for 2029.
However, in a surprise announcement just hours before the first speech of PM Andy Burnham in the House of Commons, the 63-year-old former lawyer announced that he is resigning because he wants to focus on international affairs and violence against women and girls.
In an interview with Camden New Journal,the former PM expressed gratitude to the people of his constituency for letting him represent them in the parliament, describing it as a huge honour and privilege.
Starmer said that it was the right time for him to pass the baton to a successor and leave the parliament, adding, “I will now focus on other things and that will be international affairs including defence, security, trade and technology in the fast changing world.”
His resignation has now triggered a by-election in his constituency. A date for the polling will be set as soon as he formally submits his resignation.
The elections are expected to feature a fierce battle between the Green Party of England and Wales and the Labour Party. No candidates have been confirmed yet; however, Greens has indicated that leader Zack Polanski might consider a run at the seat.
2026-09-01 19:34:00
