Sir Keir Starmer announced he is standing down as MP for Holborn and St Pancras, according to reporting cited from The Telegraph and the BBC on Sept. 1, 2026. The BBC added that the move came hours before Prime Minister Andy Burnham was due to deliver his first statement in the Commons.
By‑election stakes
The Telegraph reported that Starmer’s announcement “sets up a difficult by-election” in his constituency and that the Green Party “will hope to win the seat.” The outlet also said Starmer “was ousted by Labour MPs in July to make way for Andy Burnham.”
Forecasting site Electoral Calculus gives Labour a 59 percent chance of holding Holborn and St Pancras, per the reporting cited. The BBC noted the seat “has long been a Labour stronghold,” with Starmer winning by more than 11,000 votes at the 2024 general election.
Starmer’s message and reactions
In a post on X on Sept. 1, Starmer wrote: “It has been an honour and a privilege to represent Holborn and St Pancras for the last 11 years,” and shared his full statement. According to The Telegraph’s account, he thanked constituency staff and Labour members and said: “Whoever is lucky enough to become the Labour candidate here will have my full support and backing and I will continue to give my full support to the Prime Minister and this Labour Government.”
GB News political editor Christopher Hope said the resignation “does overshadow Andy Burnham’s big day.” Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake accused Starmer of making “another U-turn having pledged to stay on,” calling it a “costly by-election for taxpayers,” the BBC reported.
What happens next
The BBC reported that a date will not be set for the by‑election until Starmer formally resigns his Commons seat.
