Keir Starmer, who stepped down as Britain’s prime minister in July, is leaving the British Parliament, he said on Tuesday, signaling the end of his domestic political career.
Starmer made the announcement in an interview with the Camden New Journal, a local newspaper in his parliamentary constituency of Holborn and St. Pancras. He has represented the community, which is in greater London, for 11 years.
He told the paper that he felt now was the “right time” and that he would focus on “international affairs including defence, security, trade and technology in a fast-changing world.”
It’s unclear when his last day in office will be, but Starmer informed local party staff of his intention to exit, triggering a selection process for a candidate to run in the upcoming election to fill his vacancy, according to the Camden New Journal.
Starmer worked as a lawyer before being elected to represent Holborn and St. Pancras in 2015. In 2020, he was elected as leader of the Labour Party. He led the opposition party until 2024 when a landslide Labour victory set up his election as prime minister.
Internal divisions, waning popularity, and a series of resignations from senior leaders in his party brought a lapse in support from both his party and the public that led to his resignation as prime minister earlier this year.
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