Keir Starmer

Keir Starmer
Prime Minister's Office · OGL 3 · source
Name	Keir Starmer
Birth date	2 April 1962
Birth place	Southwark
Nationality	British
Occupation	Barrister; Politician
Party	Labour Party
Alma mater	University of Leeds; St Edmund Hall, Oxford; University of London
Known for	Director of Public Prosecutions; Leader of the Labour Party

Keir Starmer (born 2 April 1962) is a British barrister and politician who has served as Leader of the Labour Party and Leader of the Opposition. He previously served as Director of Public Prosecutions and Head of the Crown Prosecution Service. His career spans prominent roles in human rights law, public prosecution, and parliamentary politics.

Early life and education

Starmer was born in Southwark and raised in Oxted, Surrey, the son of parents who worked in healthcare and the local authority sector. He attended Reigate Grammar School and studied law at the University of Leeds before winning a Commonwealth Scholarship to study Jurisprudence at St Edmund Hall, Oxford. He completed postgraduate studies at the University of London, including training at the Bar of England and Wales.

Legal career

Called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1987, Starmer built a career at Human Rights Law chambers, specialising in civil liberties and European Convention on Human Rights litigation. He was appointed Queen's Counsel in 2002 and worked on high-profile cases involving Northern Ireland, Iraq, and Guantanamo Bay detainees before serving as Director of Public Prosecutions from 2008 to 2013. As head of the Crown Prosecution Service, he oversaw prosecutions related to terrorism, fraud, and public inquiries, and engaged with institutions such as the Attorney General for England and Wales and the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

Political career

After leaving the Crown Prosecution Service, Starmer entered electoral politics, standing for Parliament and being elected as Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras at the 2015 United Kingdom general election. In Parliament, he served on committees and was appointed to the Shadow Cabinet under Jeremy Corbyn, becoming Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union during the Brexit process. He navigated interactions with institutions including the European Union, House of Commons, and various select committees while engaging with constituencies across Greater London.

Leadership of the Labour Party

Following internal party contests after the 2019 general election, Starmer won the 2020 Labour leadership election, succeeding Jeremy Corbyn. As leader, he sought to reposition the Labour Party in relation to the Conservative Party, Liberal Democrats, and other actors ahead of the 2024 United Kingdom general election. His leadership has involved disputes with groups such as Momentum and negotiations over party discipline, membership rules, and policy platforms, while engaging with trade unions including Unite the Union and GMB.

Political positions and policies

Starmer's platform combines positions on Brexit implementation, public services, and economic management. He has advocated a stance on European Union relations distinct from both Theresa May-era and Boris Johnson-era approaches, while addressing issues such as NHS funding, crime and policing policy, and industrial strategy. On foreign policy he has engaged with debates concerning NATO, relations with United States, responses to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and voting on measures connected to international law and humanitarian assistance. He has also outlined policies on taxation, investment in infrastructure, and regulatory frameworks affecting sectors like financial services in the City of London.

Personal life

Starmer is married to lawyer Victoria Starmer and has children. He is known to follow football and supports Crystal Palace F.C. and has connections to cultural institutions such as the British Library and universities where he studied. He holds honours and has been recognised in the context of public service and legal contributions, interacting with institutions like the Bar Council and receiving commentary from figures including former Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom and senior legal figures.

Category:1962 births Category:Living people Category:Members of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom Category:Labour Party (UK) MPs Category:Alumni of the University of Leeds Category:Alumni of St Edmund Hall, Oxford