Sir Keir Rodney Starmer (born 2 September 1962) is a British politician and lawyer. He became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 2024. He has also been the leader of the Labour Party since 2020.

Before becoming Prime Minister, he was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Holborn and St Pancras from 2015. He was also the Leader of the Opposition from 2020 to 2024. From 2008 to 2013, he was the Director of Public Prosecutions, which means he was the head of public prosecutions in England and Wales.

Early Life and Education

Keir Starmer was born in Southwark, London, on 2 September 1962. He grew up in Oxted, Surrey. He was the second of four children. His mother, Josephine, was a nurse, and his father, Rodney, was a toolmaker. His parents supported the Labour Party. They named him after Keir Hardie, the party's first leader in Parliament.

Starmer went to Reigate Grammar School. This school later became a private school while he was still a student. He received a special payment to cover his fees after the age of 16. He studied law at the University of Leeds and graduated in 1985. He then continued his studies at St Edmund Hall, Oxford, graduating in 1986.

Legal Career

Starmer became a barrister in 1987. A barrister is a type of lawyer who represents people in court. He worked mainly on human rights cases. He helped people who were sentenced to death in some Caribbean countries. He also helped in the famous McLibel case, where two people were sued by McDonald's. This case was seen as a "David and Goliath" fight because McDonald's had many expensive lawyers, while the other side had little money.

In 2002, Starmer became a Queen's Counsel (QC), which is a special title for experienced barristers. He also advised police groups on human rights. He said that working on policing in Northern Ireland made him want to become a politician. He felt he could make changes faster by working inside the government.

Director of Public Prosecutions

Starmer speaking as Director of Public Prosecutions in 2013

In 2008, Starmer was chosen to lead the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). This means he was the main person in charge of deciding which criminal cases should go to court in England and Wales. He held this important role until 2013.

Starmer in 2012

Early Political Career

Starmer was elected to the House of Commons in 2015. This is where Members of Parliament (MPs) meet to make laws. He became a Shadow Minister for Immigration in the Labour Party.

Later, he became the Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union. This role meant he was responsible for the Labour Party's plans for Brexit. He supported having another public vote on Brexit and said he would vote to stay in the European Union.

Leadership of the Labour Party

Starmer speaking at a Labour Party leadership event in 2020

After the Labour Party lost the 2019 general election, its leader, Jeremy Corbyn, resigned. Keir Starmer then won the election to become the new leader of the Labour Party in 2020.

As leader, Starmer has tried to move the party more towards the middle ground of politics. He has focused on important issues like making the economy grow, improving healthcare, and creating clean energy. He also wants to tackle crime and improve education.

2024 General Election

Starmer led the Labour Party in the 2024 United Kingdom general election. He said the election was a chance for change. He told voters that Labour would "stop the chaos" and "rebuild Britain" with a clear plan.

Labour's plan included creating a new public energy company and improving the NHS. They also wanted to bring the railway network back under public control. Before the election, polls suggested Labour would win by a large amount.

Premiership

Becoming Prime Minister

Starmer as Prime Minister outside 10 Downing Street, 5 July 2024

On 5 July 2024, Keir Starmer became the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. This happened after the Labour Party won the general election. He was officially appointed by Charles III, the King.

Starmer gave his first speech as Prime Minister outside 10 Downing Street. He said that the people had voted for change. He promised to "restore service and respect to politics" and "unite our country." Many world leaders congratulated him.

One of his first actions was to stop the Rwanda asylum plan. His government also set up a new team to stop people smuggling across the English Channel. Starmer also visited the different nations of the UK and met with regional leaders.

Cabinet

Starmer holding his first Cabinet meeting in July 2024

After becoming Prime Minister, Starmer chose his new Cabinet. The Cabinet is a group of senior ministers who help the Prime Minister run the country. They met for the first time on 6 July 2024.

Some of his appointments included experts from different fields. For example, a scientist became the Minister for Science. Some ministers from previous Labour governments also joined his team.

Domestic Policy

Starmer's government has focused on several key areas within the UK. These include making the economy stronger and improving how new buildings are planned. They also want to invest in energy, healthcare, education, and workers' rights.

King Charles III reads the King's Speech, outlining new laws.

The government plans to introduce new laws to bring railways and bus services under public control. They also want to strengthen workers' rights and tackle illegal immigration. A new group called Skills England was launched to improve training for people in England.

Immigration

Starmer with Chancellor Rachel Reeves, July 2024

One of Starmer's first decisions was to cancel the Rwanda asylum plan. This plan aimed to send people seeking asylum to Rwanda. His government created the Border Security Command to stop illegal crossings over the English Channel.

NHS

In September 2024, Starmer said that the NHS would not get more money without big changes. He believes that reforming the NHS is the solution to its problems, not just adding more funds.

Prison Overcrowding

Starmer said there were "too many prisoners" when he took office. To help with prison overcrowding, his Justice Secretary announced a plan. This plan allows some prisoners to be released earlier than before.

Two-Child Benefit Cap

Starmer has decided not to remove the two-child benefit cap. This rule limits how much benefit money families can receive if they have more than two children. He said this decision was necessary for financial reasons. He also started a Child Poverty Taskforce to help children living in poverty.

Economy

The new Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, said the previous government left a large financial gap. To save money, some winter fuel payments for pensioners were stopped. Starmer defended this, saying tough choices were needed to make the economy stable.

Starmer's government has also reached agreements with trade unions to end strikes. They agreed to increase pay for public sector workers. New rules were put in place to improve workers' rights, including higher minimum wages. The government also announced plans for billions of pounds in investments in new industries and infrastructure.

The October 2024 United Kingdom budget was presented by Rachel Reeves. It focused on investing in the economy, healthcare, education, and transport. The minimum wage is set to increase, and more money will go to hospital repairs and school rebuilding projects.

Foreign Policy

United States

Starmer with US President Joe Biden in July 2024

In July 2024, US President Joe Biden congratulated Starmer on his election win. They talked about the strong relationship between the US and the UK. They also discussed supporting Ukraine.

Starmer with US President Donald Trump in February 2025

In February 2025, Starmer met with President Donald Trump. They discussed continued support for Ukraine and a possible trade deal.

NATO

Starmer and Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at the NATO summit in 2024

Starmer's first trip abroad as Prime Minister was to the 2024 NATO summit in Washington. NATO is a military alliance of many countries. Starmer promised to increase the UK's defence spending to meet NATO's target.

Europe

Starmer hosting Taoiseach Simon Harris at Chequers, July 2024

Since becoming Prime Minister, Starmer has aimed to improve the UK's relationship with the European Union after Brexit. He has met with several European leaders. He and the German Chancellor announced talks to improve cooperation between their countries.

Israel-Hamas War

Starmer has supported Israel in its conflict with Hamas. However, he has also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. In September 2024, the UK government stopped some arms sales to Israel. This was because there was a risk the weapons could be used against international law.

Personal Life

Starmer and his wife Victoria, outside No. 10, July 2024

Keir Starmer is married to Victoria Alexander. They met when they were both working on a legal case. They got married in 2007 and have two children, a son and a daughter. Their children are being raised in their mother's Jewish faith. Before moving to Downing Street, the family lived in north London.

Starmer is a pescatarian, meaning he eats fish but no other meat. His wife is a vegetarian. He has said that his biggest fear about becoming Prime Minister was the effect it would have on his children. He tries to avoid working after 6 p.m. on Fridays to spend time with his family for Shabbat dinners.

Starmer with his family's pet kitten, Prince, September 2024

Starmer is an atheist, meaning he does not believe in God. However, he goes to services with his family at a synagogue. He enjoys playing football and supports Premier League football club Arsenal. Since September 2024, his family has a pet Siberian kitten named Prince, who lives at 10 Downing Street.

Awards and Honours

In 2002, Starmer was made a Queen's Counsel (QC). He received an award in 2005 for his work helping people who faced the death penalty. In 2014, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) for his work in law and justice. This means he can use the title "Sir."

Honorary degrees awarded to Keir Starmer
Date	School	Degree
21 July 2011	University of Essex	Doctor of university (D.U.)
16 July 2012	University of Leeds	Doctor of Laws (LL.D.)
19 November 2013	University of East London	Doctor of Laws (LL.D.)
19 December 2013	London School of Economics	Doctor of Laws (LL.D.)
14 July 2014	University of Reading	Doctor of Laws (LL.D.)
18 November 2014	University of Worcester	Honorary doctorate (D.Univ.)

In 2017, he became a member of the Privy Council. This gave him the special title "the Right Honourable."

Keir Starmer facts for kids

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