Labour MP Tulip Siddiq has paid a deeply personal tribute to Sir Keir Starmer following his decision to stand down from Parliament, recalling more than a decade of campaigning together and praising his commitment to justice, children and the communities of Camden.
The Hampstead and Highgate MP described Starmer as both a friend and a neighbouring Camden MP, saying their political journey began more than 12 years ago when he asked for her help during his parliamentary selection in Holborn and St Pancras.
Writing on X, Siddiq said:
“Very sad to see my friend and fellow Camden MP stand down. Our journey started over 12 years ago when Keir asked me to help him with the parliamentary selection in my neighbouring seat. (Quite the experience!)”
She reflected on the elections they subsequently fought together, including Labour’s historic 2024 general election victory.
“We then fought and won 4 elections including the last one where he led us to victory and formed the first Labour government after 14 years and I served as his City Minister,” she said.
Siddiq also praised Starmer’s record as a constituency MP, saying he represented “the best of Camden values”.
She highlighted his “strong sense of justice”, his determination to preserve the borough’s social mix and his advocacy for children growing up in some of the poorest parts of his constituency.
Her comments add to a growing wave of tributes from across the Labour movement following Starmer’s announcement that he will leave the House of Commons after 11 years representing Holborn and St Pancras.
Senior Labour figures including Sadiq Khan, Steve Reed, Peter Kyle and Jo Stevens have already publicly thanked the former Prime Minister for his service to the party and country.
Siddiq’s tribute, however, was particularly personal, reflecting the close political and local relationship between the two Camden MPs.
She said: “It’s going to be sad not having Keir as my neighbouring MP but I know the strong independent Constituency Labour Party in Holborn and St Pancras will choose someone equally worthy to replace him.”
She ended simply: “Thank you Keir.”
Starmer has already made clear that he intends to remain part of the Labour movement after leaving Parliament, promising his full support to whoever is selected as Labour’s candidate in the forthcoming by-election and continuing to back the Labour Government. He first confirmed the decision to the Camden New Journal.
Siddiq’s intervention underlines the affection and respect for Starmer among many of those who worked closely with him through Labour’s journey from opposition to government.
