Sir Keir Rodney Starmer born 2 September 1962, in London, is a British politician and barrister who has served as Leader of the Labour Party since 2020. He was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015 and Leader of the Opposition from 2020 to 2024.
Early Life and Education
Birth and Family Background
Keir Starmer was born on September 2, 1962, in Southwark, London, England. He grew up in Oxted, Surrey. Starmer’s Father Rodney and Mother Josephine Starmer, named him after the name of the first Labour Party leader, Keir Hardie. His father Rodney was a toolmaker, and his mother worked as a nurse.
Education
Starmer attended Reigate Grammar School, a state school that became independent while he was a student. He was politically active from an early age and joined the Labour Party Young Socialists at the age of 16. He was a junior exhibitioner at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama until the age of 18 and played the flute, piano, recorder, and violin.
He later went on to study law at the University of Leeds, where he graduated with a first-class Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree in 1985. Starmer then completed a postgraduate Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) degree at St Edmund Hall, Oxford, in 1986.
Legal Career
Starmer’s legal career began as a barrister in 1987 when he was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple. He became a member of Doughty Street Chambers in 1990, where he specialized in human rights law. Throughout his career, Starmer handled many high-profile cases, including the McLibel case, the successful challenge to the use of evidence obtained through torture, and representing Helen Steel and David Morris against McDonald’s.
In 2002, he was appointed Queen’s Counsel (QC). Starmer was also an adviser to the Northern Ireland Policing Board and the Association of Chief Police Officers.
Early Career and Specialization
In 2008, Keir Starmer was appointed Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and Head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). During his tenure, he dealt with various significant issues, including the prosecution of MPs over the expenses scandal, the treatment of cases including Fresh insight into the World telephone hacking embarrassment, and changes in strategy connected with sexual brutality cases.
Director of Public Prosecutions
In July 2008, Patricia Scotland, Attorney General for England and Wales, named Starmer as the new head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Director of Public Prosecutions. He took over from Ken Macdonald, who publicly welcomed the appointment, on 1 November 2008. Starmer served as DPP until 2013 and was known for his reformist approach, pushing for more rigorous handling of cases involving sexual offenses and domestic violence. (Sources-Wikipedia)
Keir Starmer Political Career
Entry into Politics
Keir Starmer’s political career began in earnest when he was elected as the Labour MP for Holborn and St Pancras in the 2015 general election. He succeeded Frank Dobson, who had held the seat since 1979. Starmer was elected at the 2015 general election with a majority of 17,048. He was re-elected at the 2017 general election with an increased majority of 30,509 and re-elected again at the 2019 general election.
Role in the Shadow Cabinet
After entering Parliament, Starmer quickly rose through the ranks. He was appointed Shadow Minister for Immigration in 2015 and later became Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union in 2016, a role in which he played a key part in shaping Labour’s Brexit policy.
Leader of the Labour Party
In April 2020, following the resignation of Jeremy Corbyn, Keir Starmer was elected Leader of the Labour Party. His leadership has been marked by efforts to rebuild the party’s image and regain trust among voters, with a focus on addressing internal divisions, emphasizing party unity, and outlining clear policies on issues like the economy, public services, and social justice.
Keir Starme Wife & Children
Keir Starmer’s wife’s name is Victoria Alexander, she is a solicitor. They got married in the year 2007. They have two children together. The family lives in North London. Starmer loves playing and watching Football and he supports Arsenal FC. He enjoys playing and watching football in his spare time.
Starmer is an atheist, In an interview once he said he does not believe in God but believes in the power of faith to bring people together.
Keir Starmer In News (UK general election 2024 )
The UK’s Labour Party swept to power after winning the country’s general election, crossing the 326-seat threshold for a working majority in the House of Commons.
Keir Starmer will be the next British Prime Minister after his Labour Party secured a landslide victory in the UK general election, ending the 14-year reign of the Conservative Party led by Rishi Sunak. Labour crossed the magic number of 326 in the 650-seat Parliament swimmingly
Honours and Recognition
Throughout his career, Starmer has received numerous accolades for his contributions to law and public service.
- Appointed Queen’s Counsel (QC) in 2002.
- Bar Council’s Sydney Elland Goldsmith Award in 2005 for his outstanding contribution to pro bono work in challenging the death penalty in Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, and the Caribbean.
- Honorary Fellow of St Edmund Hall, Oxford.
- Appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in the 2014 New Year Honours for “services to law and criminal justice”.
- Sworn into the Privy Council of the United Kingdom on 19 July 2017. This enabled him to be styled “The Right Honourable.”
Social Media Profiles
Political Stance and Vision
As Labour leader, Starmer’s vision focuses on building a fairer society, addressing economic inequality, and ensuring robust public services. He advocates for strong environmental policies, improved education and healthcare systems, and a just economy that works for everyone. Starmer emphasizes evidence-based policy-making and pragmatic approaches to tackling the challenges facing the UK.
In his victory speech after UK General Election 24, where his party crossed the 326-seat threshold he quoted “Change begins now,” adding that having “a mandate like this comes with a great responsibility”.
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