Ousted UK PM Starmer quits parliament to focus on international affairs

But the former lawyer, whose tenure as prime minister was marked by several damaging U-turns, failed to connect with voters and steadily lost the support of the public and his party. Starmer had previously said he would remain as a lawmaker until the next general election.

But he, a local newspaper in his north London constituency, that he had changed his mind and intended to "concentrate on international affairs". He confirmed his resignation in a statement on X.It has been an honour and a privilege to represent Holborn and St Pancras for the last 11 years.

My statement.pic.twitter.com/xzu4xc. Ino2— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer)September 1, 2026Despite the sagging popularity at home that cost him his job, foreign affairs were often seen as a strength during Starmer's premiership. Read More:Four guilty to London arson attack.

He worked closely with French President Emmanuel Macron to establish the so-called Coalition of the Willing in support of Ukraine, reset ties with China, recognised a Palestinian state and had mixed success in efforts to build relations with US President Donald Trump.

The newspaper report did not give a timeframe for when an election would be held for Starmer's seat in the constituency of Holborn and St Pancras. Starmer comfortably held the seat in 2024 with a majority of just over 11,500, though an independent candidate who campaigned primarily on opposition to Israel's war in Gaza took nearly 19% of the vote.

Starmer was replaced as prime minister in July by Andy Burnham, who became Britain's seventh prime minister in a decade. Burnham's accession has led to a bounce in the polls for Labour, though he faces a sterner test when parliament resumes later on Tuesday.