In the past week, Keir Starmer became the most popular politician worldwide after his landslide victory as the UK’s new Prime Minister. Keir’s win ended the 14-year tenure of the Conservative Party (Tories) as the primary governing party. This means that having lost the July 4, 2024 election, it became the Official Opposition party in the UK.
Keir Starmer sits at the center of it all, leading his Labour Party to occupy 10 Downing Street. Starmer is a seasoned politician whose decade-long professional career has culminated in becoming Prime Minister. Here’s everything to know about Keir Starmer, the UK Prime Minister on whose shoulders lies the nation’s future.
Keir Starmer’s Parents Were Labour Party Supporters
Starmer was born Keir Rodney Starmer in Southwark, London, England, on September 2, 1962. He was born the second of four children to a toolmaker father, Rodney Starmer, and a nurse, Josephine Starmer (née Baker). Although his parents were from humble backgrounds, they were staunch Labour Party supporters. It was often reported that Starmer was named after Keir Hardie, the first Labour Party parliamentary leader. However, after joining politics in 2015, Keir Starmer clarified he wasn’t certain if it was true.
He Was A Classmate To Several Prominent Figures In UK
Keir Starmer attended Reigate Grammar School, gaining admission when it was still a voluntary aided selective grammar school. After it became an independent fee-paying school in 1976, he could complete his studies, thanks to a charity bursary offered by the school. While at Reigate Grammar School, Starmer was classmates with Conservative peer Andrew Cooper, as well as conservative journalist Andrew Sullivan. With Starmer’s specialist study in music, mathematics, and physics, he shared classes with English musician, DJ, and record producer Norman Cook (famous as Fatboy Slim).
Keir Starmer Was A Labour Party Young Socialists Member
The Labour Party is all Keir Starmer has always known. Besides being born to loyalist parents, Starmer played an active role in Labour politics as a teenager. At age 16, Starmer became a member of the Labour Party Young Socialists (LPYS). LPYS was founded in 1960, two years before Starmer’s birth, and dissolved in 1991.
Keir Starmer Studied Law At the University of Leeds
Although he had an early interest in politics, Keir Starmer was drawn to law. After graduating from High School, he applied to the prestigious University of Leeds. While at the University of Leeds, Starmer was also active in politics. He was a member of the school’s Labour Party. However, it would take decades for him to launch his career professionally.
His early years were defined as a Labour Party enthusiast and promoter. Starmer graduated in 1985 with first-class honors and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB). Interestingly, Keir Starmer is the first person to graduate in his family. Starmer did his postgraduate studies at University of Oxford’s St. Edmund Hall, where he obtained his Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) in 1986.
Keir Starmer’s Career As A Lawyer
After Keir Starmer was called to the bar, he focused his legal career on criminal defense work, specializing in human rights. His passion for promoting human rights led him to work in several international cases. Besides defending convicts on the death row in several Caribbean countries, Keir Starmer has also been called to the bar in these nations. As a lawyer and human rights activist, Starmer was an advisor to the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Northern Ireland Policing Board. From 2002 to 2008, Starmer was a member of the death penalty advisory panel of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Starmer’s work and contribution to human rights did not go unnoticed. On April 9, 2002, he was appointed Queen’s Counsel (QC) at the age of 39. In July 2008, Starmer was appointed the new head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Director of Public Prosecutions. During his time in office, from November 1, 2008, to November 1, 2013, Keir Starmer was involved in several high-profile cases, championing several convictions and acquittals. Besides the honorary degrees he received from several universities, Keir Starmer was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) by Charles, Prince of Wales. Starmer was part of the 2014 New Year Honours for services to law and criminal justice.
Keir Starmer’s Political Career Began In 2015
Although he had been an active Labour Party member for most of his life, his professional political career began with his selection as the Labour parliamentary candidate for the Labour UK constituency of Holborn and St Pancras. After he retired, Starmer replaced MP Frank Dobson (who had been MP for 36 years). Starmer assumed office on May 7, 2015, after winning the 2015 general election. Keir Starmer has been in parliament since then, winning all his re-election.
Although he began as a backbencher, Starmer quickly became popular in the parliament and amongst the Labour Party. After Ed Miliband resigned as Leader of the Labour Party, Starmer was encouraged to run for party leadership in 2015. He declined to run, citing his political inexperience. During the campaign, Starmer did not support Jeremy Corbyn for leadership but did for Andy Burnham.
However, after Jeremy Corbyn’s win, Starmer was appointed to several shadow portfolios. After Corbyn’s resignation and the party’s defeat at the 2019 general election, Keir Starmer announced he’d run for party leadership on December 4, 2019. Having won the election, Keir Starmer assumed office as the leader of the Labour Party on April 4, 2020.
Keir Starmer Is Married To Victoria Alexander
Keir Starmer is married to former solicitor Victoria Alexander. The couple met in the early 2000s while working on a case together. The couple were engaged in 2004 and married on May 6, 2007. Their marriage has produced two children. Although Starmer is an atheist, his wife is Jewish. Their children have been raised in the Jewish faith like their mother. While his wife is a vegetarian, the new UK Prime Minister is a pescatarian. The couple raised their children as vegetarians until they turned 10 before providing options to eat meat.
Keir Starmer Loves Soccer
The Prime Minister is an ardent soccer fan. Starmer played soccer for the amateur team Homerton Academicals based in North London in his younger days. With soccer being the primary sport in the UK, Starmer supports Premier League side Arsenal. If you enjoyed reading about Keir Starmer, read these 7 Things to Know About the Political Commentator Tara Setmayer.
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