This is a breaking news story and is being constantly updated by our reporters as the breaking news story develops
Former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer is to step down as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras – triggering a by-election in the London seat. The ousted Labour leader said he feels it’s the “right time” to leave the House of Commons and focus on international affairs.
It comes as his successor Andy Burnham was due to deliver his first speech to the House of Commons on Tuesday.
He told the Camden New Journal: “It has been a huge honour and privilege to represent the best constituency in the country and to have taken over from Frank Dobson, who was such a great constituency MP and a member of the last Labour government.
“I will now focus on other things and that will be international affairs including defence, security, trade and technology in a fast-changing world.
“I will also continue, as I have done for a long time now with others, work on combating violence against women and girls; that is an issue that matters to me hugely.
“It’s work I started before I became an MP and it’s work I’m keen to continue after I’m an MP. So international affairs on the one hand, and continuing my work on violence against women and girls on the other.”
Sir Keir became an MP in 2015 after previously being the director of public prosecutions. He is said to have earmarked for the role of Attorney General had Labour won that general election.
He later served in Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet before taking over as Labour leader following the party’s disastrous 2019 election defeat.
Sir Keir led the party to a landslide election victory in 2024 but his personal approval ratings nosedived. After heavy losses at this year’s local elections – particularly to Reform UK in Red Wall seats – he faced growing calls to quit.
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