Overview
- Sir Keir Starmer was appointed Steward and Bailiff of the Three Hundreds of Chiltern by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on September 1, a formal move announced by HM Treasury.
- Under a centuries-old parliamentary rule, that Crown appointment disqualifies an MP from sitting in the House of Commons, so Starmer has now ceased to be the MP for Holborn and St Pancras.
- The vacancy created by the disqualification will require a by-election in the north London constituency, with the date to be set under normal Commons procedures.
- Starmer has said he will focus on international affairs, including defence, security, trade and technology, and his Commons exit follows his resignation as prime minister in July.
- The Chiltern Hundreds is an unpaid, ceremonial office used since the 18th century as a legal fiction to allow MPs to leave Parliament; the Manor of Northstead is the alternate post recently used for other resignations.