One last U-turn! Keir Starmer QUITS as an MP despite promising he would stay on after being ousted by Burnham... leaving new PM with by-election headache

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 07:19 EDT, 1 September 2026 | Updated: 07:46 EDT, 1 September 2026 Keir Starmer is quitting as an MP after being ousted from No10 by Andy Burnham, it was revealed today.The former PM previously insisted he would stay on as the member for Holborn and St Pancras.However, in one final U-turn he has now opted to resign his seat, triggering a potentially tricky by-election for Labour against the Greens.The move immediately prompted speculation that Sir Keir could pitch for the Nato general secretary job. It could also open the door for a comeback by a Labour big beast in a relatively safe seat - with David Miliband long the subject of rumours.Keir Starmer is quitting as an MP after being ousted from No10 by Andy Burnham, it was revealed todaySir Keir told his local paper, the Camden New Journal, that he was ready to 'pass the baton to a successor' and wanted to focus on 'international affairs'.'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,' he said. '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 has represented the north London constituency for 11 years, having been director of public prosecutions before entering politics. Sir Keir was effectively kicked out of power by Andy Burnham (pictured) in July Conservative Party chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: 'Whilst we have disagreed with almost all of Sir Keir Starmer's decisions, I wish him and his family well for the future.'It is fitting that his final act as a Member of Parliament is yet another U-turn having pledged to stay on.'The decision to stand down will mean a costly by-election for taxpayers at a time when Andy Burnham and John Healey are plotting tax rises on hardworking families across the country.'The Conservatives look forward to giving the people of Holborn and St Pancras a chance to vote for a stronger economy and a stronger country in the weeks ahead.'