Members of Parliament (MPs) in the United Kingdom cannot technically resign from their seats unless they die or are expelled. Instead, they must be disqualified to retire before the end of a parliamentary term. This practice stems from a law enacted in 1624, which aimed to prevent MPs from leaving their posts but has since evolved into a procedural loophole.
To leave their position, an MP can request and accept the office of either the Steward and Bailiff of the Chiltern Hundreds or the Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead. These roles are purely nominal, carrying no responsibilities and offering no pay. Historically, accepting such a title disqualifies an individual from being an MP. The original intent was to prevent royal influence, but the offices later became a means for parliamentarians wishing to leave their elected positions.
Recent examples of MPs utilizing this procedure include Sir Keir Starmer and Boris Johnson, both of whom have taken on these nominal roles to vacate their seats. This long-standing parliamentary mechanism continues to serve as the official method for MPs to step down from their duties.