Sir Keir Starmer is standing down as an MP, triggering a by-election in his constituency of Holborn & St Pancras. The former Prime Minister, who was ousted by Andy Burnham after just two years in power in July, has represented the London constituency since 2015.
Speaking to the Camden New Journal, following weeks of speculation over whether he would continue to represent the seat, Sir Keir said the "time is right" to "pass the baton" to a new MP.
Starmer's farewell and tribute from Burnham
Sir Keir added: “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.”
The seat of Holborn and St Pancras was created in 1983 and has only ever been held by Labour, but the Green Party is expected to make a major push to seize the constituency in the upcoming by-election. Speaking in the Commons for the first time since becoming Prime Minister, Mr Burnham paid tribute to Sir Keir, saying his predecessor had "given this country a lifetime of public service".
Timing and process for the by-election
A date for the Holborn and St Pancras by-election is yet to be confirmed, but it is set to be held later this year after the annual Labour Party conference. The process of triggering the by-election will begin with the Chief Whip of the party, who will “move the writ” in Parliament. This entails moving a motion in the House of Commons chamber asking MPs to agree to a new election to replace the outgoing MP.
The Speaker then puts the question to MPs to decide whether to agree to the motion - if passed, this becomes an Order for the Speaker, who in turn issues a Warrant to the Clerk of the Crown who then sends the writ to the Returning Officer. The by-election has to be held between 21 and 27 working days from the issuing of the writ. Sir Keir will then leave the House of Commons, once a new MP has been elected to replace him.
Labour's selection timetable
Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) has set out a tight timetable for selecting Sir Keir’s replacement. Candidates to stand for Labour in the by-election have until midday on Friday to apply for the seat, with shortlisting interviews taking place on Monday, September 7.
A number of current London councillors have already put their names forward to replace Sir Keir. After due diligence checks and interviews to whittle down the candidates have taken place, a hustings and a selection meeting is set for September 9.
