Former CPS boss Sir Keir Starmer tipped to challenge for Frank Dobson’s Holborn and St Pancras seat
Guest speaker Sir Keir Starmer (far right) joins headteacher Sam White and students from Year 11 at the William Ellis School presentation evening. Picture: Polly Hancock. - Credit: Archant
Human rights lawyer Sir Keir Starmer is an increasing presence on the Camden political scene, amid growing speculation about the parliamentary future of veteran Holborn and St Pancras MP Frank Dobson.
Frank Dobson. Picture: Dieter Perry. - Credit: Archant
Whispers in Camden’s corridors of power suggest Labour MP Mr Dobson will step down at next year’s general election after 35 years in office and Sir Keir, a former director of public prosecutions (DPP), is tipped as a frontrunner to replace him.
But the 51-year-old is yet to rule himself in or out of any future Labour parliamentary race.
Sir Keir, head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) between 2008 and 2013, lives in Kentish Town with his wife and two children and has been popping up increasingly for public appearances of late.
Last Thursday, he was the guest speaker at a presentation evening for pupils at William Ellis School in Highgate Road and tomorrow he will speak to children at Holy Trinity Primary School, in Trinity Walk, Hampstead, for their afternoon assembly.
Last month, he was sighted at the local election count at Somers Town Community Sports Centre and was then spotted in the chamber of Camden Town Hall on June 11 for the new council’s ceremonial annual meeting.
But he won’t be on his own in any race to become the next MP for Holborn and St Pancras.
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Former Camden Council leader Raj Chada and Labour London Assembly Member Tom Copley have both been tipped to contest the safe Labour ticket.
As for Mr Dobson, it is understood he was expected to announce his departure at a constituency meeting on Tuesday but decided against it on account of England’s football World Cup match against Costa Rica.
The national team’s early tournament exit means there will be no such distraction at the next constituency meeting.
