Who exactly is Keir Starmer – the new PM of the UK?

by Mick the Ram

A beaming Sir Keir Starmer shook hands with many of an assembled crowd outside Downing Street, who had gathered to greet the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

In his first speach as PM he opened by paying tribute to the man he has replaced, Rishi Sunak. He said that the achievement of the outgoing Tory leader in becoming the first British Asian PM of the UK – “shouldn’t be underestimated by anyone”.

He acknowledged that public service is a privilege and lack of trust in the government could only be healed by actions, not words and assured everyone that his government is committed to a “calm and patient rebuilding”.

But who exactly is Sir Keir Starmer? Why does he have such a title? What precisely is the back story of the new man in charge?

Health issues in family growing up

The new UK leader was born in Southwark, London on 2 September 1962, but actually grew up in a small town in Surrey, called Oxted.

He was the second of four children to Rodney, a toolmaker by trade, and Josephine, an NHS nurse. His mother suffered with the rare and debilitating health condition, Still’s Disease.

Always destined for political career

He had an interest in politics from an early age and joined the Labour Party Young Socialists at the age of sixteen.

As an 18-year-old he gained a place at Leeds University studying law, and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1985 and gained a postgraduate Bachelor of Civil Law degree at Oxford University, 12 months later.

He then embarked on a career as a barrister, spending a lot of time providing free legal advice and defending ordinary people against the rich and powerful.

He moved on to become the legal advisor to the Northern Ireland Policing Board, a role he staying in for five years.

Knighthood with family and pet dog

In 2007 he married Victoria and together they have two children. The year after his marriage he became the Director of Public Prosecutions, essentially placing him at the very head of the Crown Prosecution Service.

For his outstanding contribution to the law and criminal justice system, he was awarded a knighthood in 2014, although it is a title that he very rarely uses himself. He did however take great pride in taking along his parents to Buckingham Palace to receive the honour and they even brought along the family dog!

Clash with former leader

In 2015, he earned a seat in Parliament as an MP and the following year he was appointed Shadow Minister for Immigration, but resigned the position shortly afterwards in protest of Jeremy Corbyn‘s leadership, the man he would ultimately succeed as head of party in 2020.

Sir Keir has since strived to reposition Labour away from the left and steered it towards the political centre, with a strong emphasis on eliminating antisemitism that had become evident within the party.

Passionate address

The culmination of his work has now seen him step up to the “top job” and in his opening speech outside Number Ten shortly after returning from his meeting with King Charles, he spoke from the heart.

He acknowledged that a gap had emerged between people and politicians which had in turn led to “weariness in the heart of a nation, a draining away of the hope, the spirit, the belief in a better future”.

He recognised that a government should treat every single person in the country with respect, and said: “Whether you voted Labour or not – in fact especially if you did not – I say to you directly my government will serve you”.

Putting the country first

Politics, he stressed, could be a force for good and promised to show it. “Country first, party second” was his message to the nation.

He made the point that it would take a while to implement change, but added that the work to so would begin immediately.

When closing his address, Sir Keir referred to the country’s four nations and said they are “standing together again facing down as we have in the past the challenges of an insecure world”, before stating: “Our work is urgent and we begin it today”.

“Gunning” for success

From representing people on death row as a human rights lawyer, to working on setting up a Police Board in the wake of the Northern Ireland Good Friday agreement, the mad-keen Arsenal FC supporter has the credentials to make a success of the latest chapter in his eventful career.