Keir Starmer stepping down as an MP

Wyllow3- I agree. He's not the first to stand down after being turned out of PM office.

There are other politicians also who more frequently than Starmer put their personal interests first before what is best for their party, the country and indeed their constituency, on an ongoing basis. Nigel Farage is the person who most comes to my mind but he's not the only one either.

I think its just disingenuous when its just the reality of politics for decisions about "what is best for the Party and the country" to involve a process where minds get changed and decisions revised
- there is nothing whatsoever unusual about what has just happened.

How do you think the Conservatives acted as regards removing Margaret Thatcher or BJ or (thankfully) Liz Truss?

I dont feel the actions are cynical, either. In each case those involved in whatever you feel is "over dramatic" U turns" betrayals" are just moving and changing over time as perceived need dictates.

Some act with regret, some with conviction, some with planning and gradually gathering support

Picking on this example just ignores the reality of politics.

AB on Radio Manchester: 25 September 2025
Andy Burnham has said he has "no intention of abandoning" his work as the mayor of Greater Manchester after speculation about a potential challenge for the Labour leadership”
… said whilst the plotting to oust KS was already in motion.

Apparently, it’s fine for AB to go back on his word but not KS.

Hypocrisy is a weird thing!

So true. Most sickening is that virtually the whole cabinet was plotting and conspiring to bring Starmer down. Watched their faces yesterday whilst Burnham was performing his Man of the People act yesterday.
Loyalty?
John Healey had a lean and hungry look...
Be interesting to see how those members with narrow majorities fare in the General Election.

@LemonJam - this thread is specifically about Keir Starmer hence I made no mention of Nigel Farage or any of the many other contemptible people who somehow manage to pull the wool over enough eyes to get themselves elected.

The final U turn! Why are we not surprised! I expect an offer that he can't refuse has turned up so bye bye unimportant constituants.

Scribbles

So now it's confirmed: being an MP was all about personal ambition. Now he's no longer prime minister, he has no further interest in his constituents or in promoting their concerns within the governing party.
No, I'm not surprised. He was just another snout in the trough while it suited him.

My feeling exactly. Once the freebies dried up he went. I wonder how many of his Labour would leave if freebies were banned rather than just subject to declarations

The boat numbers may be going down but the size of the boats has increased dramatically to carrying 250 persons. It is simply politicians' sleight of speech in order to dupe the public, as usual. Plus ça change....

Thought he was going back to prosticute the British army?

Iam64

I’m pleased he’s made this decision, it’s another indication of his integrity.
I hope he gets involved in an international role. He could always return as a KC even become a Judge. Here’s hoping whatever he does is positive for him and his family

I quite agree, great chap, if a bit wooden for the public

Quite right, Chardy. That is also my view about the former Director of Public Prosecutions.

I expect he has a huge international job lined up. I consider him to be a clever, thoughtful lawyer who was an excellent DPP. He had proved that he is appreciated and effective on the international stage, one of the few to refuse to be bamboozled by the godawful Trump. He was very badly treated by Labour MPs, few of whom came out of the coup with any decency.

Johnson was a hopeless PM ! I cannot think of #nything he @chieved tbh

Nanna8 where do you get that idea from? Europe?
He has worked and studied in the UK all of his life, vilified from the outset by the press and certain people on this forum as well.
He has stated he is going to concentrate on domestic violence issues, attacks on women and girls , looking at ways to deal with violent men, plus perhaps dealing with International affairs where he actually was a great mediator. Give the bloke a break for goodness sake!
I thought he was dull but he did steady the ship after 14 horrible years.

Maybee I agree

In that case, meandrogrog I respectfully agree to disagree

Of course you’re entitled to both have and share your opinion.

Scribbles

So now it's confirmed: being an MP was all about personal ambition. Now he's no longer prime minister, he has no further interest in his constituents or in promoting their concerns within the governing party.
No, I'm not surprised. He was just another snout in the trough while it suited him.

Have you heard of Nigel Farage et al? He has never served his constituency since he first became MP in 2024! At least Starmer served his constituency for many years and served as PM.

Many politicians have personal ambition- Starmer is no different and not the worst..

Having said that I do not applaud Starmer's timing of his announcement thereby causing the cost and diversion of a by election, just as parliament returns from the summer recess, just before AB's first statement to HOC then next day first PMQs and party conference season looming.

I expected better of Starmer- he should have done it much sooner or waited a while.

Now, I’m definitely not an anti vacc’er; far from it. I have every vaccine going. But Johnson was not instrumental in getting the vaccine done. Nothing was stopping the UK from having the vaccine. The EU were a bit slower because I believe they negotiated a better price and I have reservations about the first vaccine that was used as it is no longer being used and I rather fear it was rushed through rather quickly. As for Brexit , it was toss of a coin for Johnson who had never been anti Europe in the past and got the fright of his life when he realised he would have to implement it. He threw out most of the good Conservative MP’s and pretty much destroyed the party (look where they are now).What good has he done since he left office other than making millions and fathering even more children.

Cossy

Meandrogrog 11:46am

I beg to differ.

Aside from the ridiculous expenses fiasco and his shilly-shelling around the WFP, I don’t recall Starmer illegally proroguing Parliament, excusing himself and his buddies for constantly breaking Covid rules, (yes I’m aware Starmer was accused of doing this on one occasion), I don’t recall Starmer giving contracts to his chums, for things which then proved useless, for example, “track & trace”, & and doctors and nurses protective equipment during Covid. He was also very slow at taking Covid seriously and didn’t attend COBRA meetings at the start. It really isn’t the same.

Yes Johnson allowed his chancellor to sort out funding for vaccine research, and rollout, and furlough. Sunak did a great here, Johnson took the credit. The vaccine rollout was due to our NHS and a massive raft of volunteers, Johnson took the credit.

It’s not the same in any sense.

As far as I am concerned, Boris got us out of the EUSuccessfully, then made sure we got the Covid vaccinations.

He would not have spitefully imposed vat on private schools or brought in the Mansion tax.

IMO he was one of the best prime ministers we have ever had and it was a crying shame he was ousted.

I am fully allowed to have this opinion whatever others think.

Given the spiteful comment aimed at Starmer by the Speaker ( who I’ve always disliked anyway especially since he was downright rude to Caroline Lucas) it was untenable for him to remain in parliament. In fact I’m surprised that he lasted as long as he did; the welcome that Burnham got when he first re entered parliament said it all. As his biographer pointed out, he was never ‘one of them’. And in his opinion will not use his PM’ship to make money but to do good.

Meandrogrog 11:46am

I beg to differ.

Aside from the ridiculous expenses fiasco and his shilly-shelling around the WFP, I don’t recall Starmer illegally proroguing Parliament, excusing himself and his buddies for constantly breaking Covid rules, (yes I’m aware Starmer was accused of doing this on one occasion), I don’t recall Starmer giving contracts to his chums, for things which then proved useless, for example, “track & trace”, & and doctors and nurses protective equipment during Covid. He was also very slow at taking Covid seriously and didn’t attend COBRA meetings at the start. It really isn’t the same.

Yes Johnson allowed his chancellor to sort out funding for vaccine research, and rollout, and furlough. Sunak did a great here, Johnson took the credit. The vaccine rollout was due to our NHS and a massive raft of volunteers, Johnson took the credit.

It’s not the same in any sense.

Iam64

He may well have wanted to stay on as an MP but found it was not tenable

Absolutely. As well, it’s a job, a very responsible job, but nevertheless a job. People in jobs are allowed to change their minds and to do something else.

I accept he was voted in by his constituency and whilst he’s a MP needs to do his best for them, and I’m sure that for the 11 years he was their MP that he did.

Now he feels he cannot, so surely the “right” thing to do is to resign and allow someone else the privilege of fulfilling this role?

So many people do this, you could argue the MP in Makerfield was letting down his voters?

Starmer clearly feels it’s time for a fresh start, for himself and his family, I wish him luck.

All MPs stand to be their party leader knowing that they’ll benefit from this, whatever their good intentions are at the time.

Well said doodledog @ 9.17

Sarnia

I'm not a Labour voter but I really felt for Sir Keir Starmer and the way he was treated. He brought Labour to power with a thumping majority but was still cast aside when things were not going well. If every PM was ousted when times are tough they will need to install a revolving door at No 10.
He seems a decent family man so I hope he finds a future where he is valued and doesn't have to inspect the back of his jacket to look for stab marks. Good luck for him.

It was the same for Boris. Landslide victory then stabbed in the back.

Oreo

Nice try Doodledog to make out Starmer was the best thing since sliced bread but the fact that his own MP’s wanted him gone says it all.
Starmer was useless once in power and it was there for all to see.

That’s not what I was doing. Did you read my post, or just react?

He may well have wanted to stay on as an MP but found it was not tenable