At 61, Starmer will be the oldest person to become British prime minister in almost half a century
After a general election put Keir Starmer on course to become Britain’s new prime minister on Friday, the Labour leader declared that the UK was “ready for change”. “The change begins right here, because this is your democracy, your community and your future. You have voted. It is now time for us to deliver,” he said, after being re-elected to his seat in north London. Here are 10 essential things to know about Starmer:
- His Roots: Born on September 2, 1962, Keir Rodney Starmer was raised in a cramped house on the outskirts of London by a seriously ill mother and an emotionally distant father. Raised in a working-class family, he often highlights his parents’ occupations as a toolmaker and nurse.
- Background: Keir Starmer’s career began as a human rights lawyer and public prosecutor before entering politics. As Director of Public Prosecutions, Starmer oversaw high-profile cases, including MPs’ expenses and phone-hacking scandals.
- Family Life: Married with two children, Starmer values work-life balance, including spending time with his family on weekends. Starmer is said to be funny in private and loyal to his friends.
- Sporting Passion: Starmer’s love for football reflects his connection to British culture. Football-mad Starmer is a devoted Arsenal fan. He has struggled to shed his public image as boring and only recently started to appear more at ease in the public spotlight.
- Politics: Transitioning from law to politics, Starmer’s leadership style blended legal precision with political strategy. He often faced criticism for shifting stances and lacking charisma, while supporters praised his steady, managerial approach.
- Rebellion: Just a year after becoming an MP, Starmer joined a rebellion by Labour lawmakers over Jeremy Corbyn’s perceived lack of leadership during the EU referendum campaign. It failed, and later that year he rejoined the top team as Labour’s Brexit spokesman.
- Path to Leadership: Elected Labour leader in 2020, Starmer focused on bringing the party back to the center ground after Jeremy Corbyn’s tenure. In 2015, he was elected as a Member of Parliament, representing a seat in left-leaning North London. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II but rarely uses the prefix “Sir”.
- Pragmatic Views: Known for his pragmatic approach, Starmer emphasises service over ideology, aiming to restore trust in politics. “We must return politics to service,” Starmer said repeatedly during the campaign, following 14 chaotic years of Conservative rule under five different prime ministers.
- Campaign Mantra: Promises to prioritise “country first, party second,” addressing issues left by Conservative governments. Detractors, though, label him an uninspiring opportunist who regularly shifts position on an issue and who has failed to spell out a clear and defining vision for the country.
- Famous Quote: “If you’re born without privilege, you don’t have time for messing around,” Starmer once said. “You don’t walk around problems without fixing them, and you don’t surrender to the instincts of organisations that won’t face up to change.”
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