Kathmandu— Former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that he will resign from his position as a member of parliament for the Holborn and St Pancras constituency in London. This decision comes six weeks after Starmer's resignation as UK prime minister, following a loss of support within the Labour Party. Starmer plans to focus on international affairs, including defense, security, trade, and technology.

Reasons for Resignation

Starmer stated that it was the “right time” to step aside from domestic politics and focus on other issues. His tenure as Labour Party leader saw a historic 2024 landslide victory, but within two years, his authority eroded due to U-turns, cuts, diplomatic scandals, pressure from Reform UK, and challenges from Andy Burnham, who became the new prime minister.

International Focus

Despite his dwindling popularity at home, Starmer is seen by some as having a strength in foreign affairs. He established strong relationships with EU leaders post-Brexit, particularly with French President Emmanuel Macron, forming the Coalition of the Willing to support Ukraine.

Political Impact

Starmer's resignation will trigger a by-election for his seat in Holborn and St Pancras. His departure comes as Andy Burnham’s Labour Party sees a bounce in polls following Burnham’s accession, though he faces tougher challenges ahead with Parliament resuming.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.