Former UK PM Keir Starmer Announces Exit from Parliament

Former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that he will resign from Parliament, ending an 11-year tenure as a lawmaker and paving the way for a by-election in his London constituency.

Starmer, who stepped down as prime minister earlier this year, said the decision was made to allow him concentrate on international issues, particularly in the areas of defence, security, trade, and technology.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the former Labour leader described the move as the right moment to leave parliamentary politics and pursue broader engagements on global affairs amid rapid changes across the world.

His departure marks the end of a significant chapter in British politics. Starmer served as leader of the Labour Party for six years and played a key role in returning the party to government with a decisive election victory in 2024.

Despite that success, his administration faced mounting political challenges and declining public support during its time in office. Growing pressure within the ruling party eventually led to his resignation as prime minister, with a new leader taking over in July.

Before entering frontline politics, Starmer built a career as a human rights lawyer. He later rose through the political ranks to become one of the most influential figures in modern Labour Party history.

His exit from Parliament is expected to trigger a closely watched contest for his seat, while attention turns to his future role on the international stage.