London: Former British prime minister Keir Starmer Tuesday announced plans to step down as a member of Parliament from London to focus on “international affairs”.
Starmer, who resigned as Labour leader and PM to be succeeded at 10 Downing Street by Andy Burnham last month, had previously indicated plans to carry on as an MP to support the government from the backbenches of the House of Commons.
In a statement posted on his social media channels on the day Parliament returns after its summer recess, the 63-year-old former barrister revealed his decision to resign from frontline Labour politics, a move that will trigger a by-election in his Holborn and St Pancras constituency in the UK capital.
“Over the summer, I have had time to reflect and consider my future. I have decided that now is the right time to step down as MP for Holborn and St Pancras and hand the baton over to a successor,” said Starmer.
“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 [my wife] Vic, the kids and I call home,” he said.
The by-election is likely to pave the way for the Green Party to target a London constituency where the far-Left party perceives it has strong support.
There is a likelihood of it becoming a parliamentary test for Greens leader Zack Polanski to win a seat in the Commons.
“Zack has always made it clear he would like to be a London MP. London has been his home for over 20 years,” a party spokesperson said, not ruling out such a contest.
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