Former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is to quit Parliament, saying he felt it was the “right time” to step down as an MP and focus on new work on international affairs.
He was replaced by Andy Burnham as Prime Minister and Labour leader in July after losing the support of his party in the wake of a string of mis-steps, policy U-turns and dire local election results.
Mr Burnham, whose party now faces a by-election challenge, paid tribute to his predecessor for creating “a platform to change this country for the better”.
Sir Keir – who previously said he would serve out the rest of his term – will step down as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras, a move that will trigger a contest in the north London seat.
Applications to stand for Labour opened on Tuesday and close on Friday, with the candidate to be picked by September 9, the party said on its website.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski is understood to be considering standing in the constituency represented by Sir Keir for 11 years.
In a statement posted to X, ex-prime minister Sir Keir said: “It’s been an honour and privilege to represent the best constituency in the country since taking over from the great Frank Dobson 11 years ago.
“But 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. I will also continue working with others as I have done over many decades to tackle violence against women and girls.
“As I do that, I will always remain immensely proud to have represented the place Vic, the kids and I call home.”
He also thanked his constituency Labour Party team “who have always stood firmly by me, and given me the support I needed as I stood for leader of the Labour Party and then as I took my party from political, moral and financial ruin to an historic landslide election win in 2024 and two years as prime minister when we stabilised the economy, rebuilt our public services, invested record amounts in our defence and security, began lifting hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty and transformed Britain’s reputation with international partners”.
He continued: “There will now be a process to appoint my successor ahead of a by-election. Whoever is lucky enough to become the Labour candidate here will have my full support and backing, and I will continue to give my full support to the Prime Minister and this Labour government.”
Mr Burnham began his Commons debut as Prime Minister by praising Sir Keir’s support for Ukraine and the Hillsborough Law campaign.
“He has given this country a lifetime of public service, Mr Speaker, particularly for those fighting for justice,” Mr Burnham said.
“His leadership took our party from one of its worst defeats to its best victories, and created a platform to change this country for the better. We will use it well, Mr Speaker.”
Sir Keir, a former director of public prosecutions, was first elected to the traditionally safe Labour seat in 2015.
After taking over the Labour leadership from Jeremy Corbyn in 2020, he led the party to a landslide election victory – with a 174-seat majority – some four years later.
But the mood of optimism among Labour activists, who hoped for a calm, stable government after the turmoil of the previous decade, dissipated amid a succession of high-profile U-turns, from welfare reform to digital ID, which created a sense of drift and indecision at the heart of Government.
Sir Keir’s interest in overseas affairs was apparent during his premiership, when his critics labelled him “never here Keir” because of the amount of time he spent on diplomatic missions abroad.
After he vacated Downing Street in July, No 10 said he would stay on as an MP until the next general election.
The Tories said his decision to step down marked “another U-turn”.
Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake 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.”
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said she was “surprised to hear he was standing down from Parliament” but could “understand why he would not want to spend time with the Labour MPs who treated him so badly after he won them their seats”.
The Greens are expected to target the seat, with leader Mr Polanski, who is a London Assembly member, potentially standing.
A Green Party spokesperson said: “Zack (Polanski) has always made it clear he would like to be a London MP. London has been his home for over 20 years.”
Comedy candidate Count Binface, who regularly stands in elections and came second to Nigel Farage in last month’s Clacton contest, said on social media: “Can’t get a moment’s peace on this bloody planet.”
Former ministers seen as loyal to Sir Keir, and who left the Government after Mr Burnham entered office, paid tribute to his record.
Ex-deputy prime minister David Lammy said on X that “he deserves enormous credit”.
“In government, faced with a country wracked by austerity and left in financial ruin, he brought stability to the economy and steadied our public services. He delivered one of the most significant overhauls of renters’ and workers’ rights in a generation, drove record investments in affordable housing, and restored Britain’s standing in the world.”
Mike Tapp, who was migration minister, said: “We are entering uncertain times on defence and security. We need the skills, leadership and experience of Sir Keir Starmer on the global stage.
“He is a man led by service and I expect this is by no means the end.”
Former housing secretary Steve Reed said “he leaves Parliament now with his head held high and the country in a better state than he found it”, and ex-business secretary Peter Kyle said Sir Keir “led with grit, driven by a love of country”.
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