Sir Keir Starmer to Step Down as Holborn and St Pancras MP

Sir Keir Starmer has announced that he will step down as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras, triggering a by-election in the London constituency.

Starmer said it had been a “huge honour and privilege” to represent the constituency for 11 years, but that he was now ready to focus on international affairs.

In a statement to the Camden New Journal, he said his future work would focus on areas including defence, security, trade and technology in a rapidly changing world.

Starmer also said he would continue his long-standing campaign to combat violence against women and girls, an issue he described as being of great personal importance.

The announcement follows weeks of speculation over whether Starmer would remain an MP after stepping down as prime minister earlier this summer.

Shortly after leaving Downing Street, Starmer told the BBC that he intended to remain in Parliament until the next general election.

However, in his latest statement, he said he was now ready to “pass the baton to a successor”.

Starmer has represented Holborn and St Pancras since 2015. His departure will now lead to a by-election in the central London constituency.