Who is Keir Starmer?
Keir Starmer, Labour leader and former human rights lawyer, is poised to ascend to Britain’s highest political office, driven by his ambition and formidable work ethic.
At 61, Starmer, named after Labour’s founding figure Keir Hardie, represents the party’s most working-class leader in decades.
He frequently emphasizes his roots, saying, “My dad was a toolmaker, my mum was a nurse,” countering the narrative that he embodies a liberal London elite.
With his distinctive grey quiff and black-rimmed glasses, Starmer remains an enigmatic figure to many voters, who are expected to propel him to Downing Street in the upcoming general election.
Critics may see him as an uninspiring opportunist, but his supporters argue that he is a pragmatic manager who will approach the role of prime minister with the same tireless and meticulous approach he applied to his legal career.
Tomorrow, don’t just send a message.
Send a government.
Vote Labour. pic.twitter.com/FjwjWbLBVh
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) July 3, 2024
Starmer’s political philosophy centers on service, as he reiterated in a recent campaign speech, promising to prioritize “country first, party second” after 14 years of Conservative rule under five different prime ministers.
Although sometimes appearing uneasy in the spotlight, the dedicated Arsenal fan is working to shake off his image as overly reserved.
Born on September 2, 1962, Starmer grew up in a modest semi-detached house on London’s outskirts.
His childhood was marked by his mother’s serious illness and an emotionally distant father.
He was one of four siblings, including one with learning difficulties.
His parents, who were animal lovers, often rescued donkeys.
Starmer quipped, “Whenever one of us left home, they replaced us with a donkey.”
A talented musician, Starmer had violin lessons with Norman Cook, who later became DJ Fatboy Slim, and attended a prestigious London music school on weekends.
His legal education at Leeds and Oxford Universities led him to champion leftist causes, defending trade unions, anti-McDonald’s activists, and death row inmates.
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He formed a friendship with human rights lawyer Amal Clooney during their time at the same practice and has recounted a memorable lunch with her and her husband, actor George Clooney.
In 2003, Starmer began moving towards establishment roles, first by ensuring Northern Ireland police complied with human rights laws.
In 2008, under Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown, he was appointed director of public prosecutions for England and Wales.
During his tenure, he prosecuted MPs for expense abuses, journalists for phone-hacking, and young rioters involved in unrest across England.
Knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, he rarely uses the title “Sir.”
Entering Parliament in 2015, Starmer quickly climbed the political ranks, representing a north London constituency.
His mother’s death from a rare joint disease shortly before his election deeply affected him. In 2021, he emotionally recounted how her painful death “broke” his father.
After joining a failed rebellion against Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership during the EU referendum campaign, Starmer returned as Labour’s Brexit spokesman.
He succeeded Corbyn in 2020, after Labour’s worst defeat since 1935.
His leadership has seen a strategic shift to the center, including purging Corbyn and addressing anti-Semitism within the party.
While some left-wing members accuse him of betrayal, his supporters see his repositioning as essential for making Labour electable again.
Starmer’s leadership style, characterized by a meticulous and relentless work ethic, aims to make him a strong prime minister.
Balancing his career with family life, he has pledged to keep his habit of not working after 6:00 pm on Fridays to spend time with his wife Victoria, an NHS occupational therapist, and their two teenage children.
