Former British prime minister Keir Starmer announced Tuesday that he is stepping down as a lawmaker after 11 years in parliament, ending his political career in the House of Commons weeks after leaving the Labour leadership.
In a statement on social media, Starmer said it was the “right time” to leave his Holborn and St Pancras seat and turn his attention to international affairs, particularly defence, security, trade and technology.
His resignation will trigger a by-election in the London constituency.
Starmer served six years as Labour leader and led the party to a landslide victory in the 2024 general election. A former human rights lawyer, he was credited with rebuilding Labour as a centre-left political force and returning it to power.
His premiership, however, was marked by a series of political setbacks and declining popularity. Mounting pressure within his own party eventually led him to announce his resignation as Labour leader this summer.
Starmer said his decision to leave parliament would allow him to focus on international issues at a time of rapid global change.
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