Keir Starmer

About

Keir Starmer, born on September 2, 1962, is a prominent British politician currently serving as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition since April 2020. A member of Parliament (MP) for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015, Starmer has become a key figure in British politics. Before his political career, Starmer was a respected lawyer, rising to become the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and Head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) from 2008 to 2013. Known for his measured, forensic approach, Starmer advocates for social justice, equality, and the rule of law.

Before Fame

Keir Starmer was born in Southwark, London, and raised in Surrey by his toolmaker father and nurse mother. He attended Reigate Grammar School and went on to study law at the University of Leeds, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws degree. Starmer then pursued further studies at St Edmund Hall, Oxford, where he earned a Bachelor of Civil Law degree. His legal career began when he was called to the Bar at the Middle Temple in 1987. Starmer quickly built a reputation as a formidable barrister, specializing in human rights law and co-founding Doughty Street Chambers in 1990.

Trivia

• Keir Starmer was knighted in 2014 for his services to law and criminal justice.
• He is named after Labour Party founder Keir Hardie.
• Starmer has also contributed significantly to legal literature, co-editing several books on human rights law.
• Despite being a Knight, Starmer prefers not to use the title "Sir" in his political life.
• Before entering Parliament, Starmer was involved in various high-profile legal cases, including the McLibel case and the Stephen Lawrence inquiry.

Family Life

Keir Starmer is married to Victoria Alexander, a solicitor whom he met in the early 2000s. The couple has two children together. Starmer’s family life is known to be private, and he has often spoken fondly of his late mother, who had a long battle with Still's disease, a condition that had a profound impact on his family. He credits his parents' values and work ethic for shaping his own commitments to public service and social justice.

Associated With

Keir Starmer succeeded Jeremy Corbyn as the Leader of the Labour Party. Throughout his political career, he has worked alongside significant figures such as shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds, shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy, and deputy leader Angela Rayner. Starmer’s approach has been seen as a return to a more centrist, pragmatic stance for the Labour Party, somewhat akin to the era of former Prime Minister Tony Blair. Starmer has challenged Prime Minister Boris Johnson on numerous issues, including the handling of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic response.