rki.news | Sources Xinhua
LONDON, June 24 — Outgoing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will remain a Member of Parliament (MP) after stepping down as prime minister, according to his official spokesperson.
The clarification follows speculation that Starmer could also resign his parliamentary seat after leaving 10 Downing Street, a move that would have triggered a by-election in his central London constituency.
Starmer announced on Monday that he would step down as leader of the governing Labour Party and outlined a timetable for his departure. He said Labour’s National Executive Committee would oversee the leadership process, with nominations opening on July 9 and closing before Parliament’s summer recess.
If more than one candidate enters the contest, party members will vote to select a new leader before Parliament returns in September.
Meanwhile, Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, won the Makerfield parliamentary by-election on June 19 and was sworn in as a Labour MP on Monday. Burnham is widely viewed as the leading contender to succeed Starmer as Labour leader and become Britain’s next prime minister.
The leadership race is expected to shape the future direction of the Labour government in the coming months.