Keir Starmer to Remain MP After Stepping Down as Prime Minister
Keir Starmer will continue to serve as the Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras following his resignation as prime minister, Downing Street has confirmed.
A spokesperson for Starmer stated that he does not anticipate accepting a position in Andy Burnham's cabinet if offered one, despite some MPs suggesting Burnham might appoint Starmer as foreign secretary.
The spokesperson emphasized that Starmer intends to complete the remainder of his term in the House of Commons and affirmed that he is "going to remain" an MP.
When asked about the possibility of taking a cabinet role, the spokesperson relayed that Starmer had informed his cabinet colleagues:
"This is the end of my journey, but this is not the end of yours."
Starmer holds a majority of 11,000 votes in his central London constituency, which could become a significant target for the Green Party should he vacate the seat.
Starmer Reflects on Parliamentary Service and Labour Victory
During prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, Starmer expressed that he would miss the weekly sessions in Parliament. He also praised the Labour MPs who secured a landslide victory, stating:
"I’m very proud of every one of our MPs who’ve had a landslide Labour victory, coming from all different backgrounds, from all different places across the country. We inflicted the biggest loss on the Tory party opposite in the history of their party. We picked up our party, we turned it around."
Transition to Andy Burnham and Upcoming Events
If Andy Burnham faces no opposition as a candidate to succeed Starmer, he is expected to assume office on 17 July. Starmer is scheduled to attend the NATO summit in Ankara next month as one of his final acts as prime minister, which will include delivering the defence investment plan.
Starmer met with Burnham on Tuesday for the first time since the Makerfield by-election. The meeting, described by aides as a "working lunch," took place away from No 10 and lasted approximately one hour.
Sources indicated that the relationship between the two parties remains strained. One source commented:
"Keir has shown time and again that he will put the interests of the country first but it is fair to say the meeting wasn’t the warmest."
Access to Civil Service and Policy Commitments
Starmer has consented to allow his likely successor to engage in access talks with the civil service, including the cabinet secretary, Antonia Romeo, prior to entering Downing Street. This procedure typically occurs with the leader of the opposition before a general election.
A spokesperson for Starmer confirmed that he has agreed there will be "no new major policy or spending commitments" before his departure that might restrict his successor's options. This agreement excludes the defence plan, which Starmer considers finalized.
