Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, is on the verge of becoming the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Exit polls and early counting results point towards a historic victory for the Labour Party, ending the 14-year reign of the Conservative Party under Rishi Sunak. If the predictions of a landslide win for Labour hold true, Starmer, at 61 years old, will take the reins of the UK government. The complete results of the 2024 UK elections will be revealed shortly, unveiling the number of seats secured by both Labour and Conservative parties in the 650-member British Parliament.
Starmer’s journey to this pivotal moment has been marked by a strategic shift within the Labour Party. After taking the helm in 2020, following the resignation of Jeremy Corbyn, Starmer positioned himself as a more centrist and pragmatic leader. He sought to distance the party from the Corbyn era, emphasizing the need for a professional and electorally viable approach.
His commitment to change was evident in his election campaign, where he promised voters to be the agent of transformation. Starmer, a seasoned human rights lawyer, has a background that includes representing the “McLibel Two” in their landmark defamation suit against McDonald’s. He also challenged the Tony Blair government’s decision to invade Iraq, presenting legal arguments against the war.
Prior to entering politics, Starmer served as the legal advisor to the Northern Ireland Policing Board for five years between 2003 and 2008. He was elected to the House of Commons in 2015 as the MP from Holborn and St Pancras, a safe Labour seat, and he successfully defended his seat in the 2024 elections.
Starmer, who is known for his vegetarianism and self-described socialism, has faced criticisms for his perceived move towards the right in his pursuit of power. Despite this, his dedication to human rights and his legal expertise have garnered him respect.
He was born on September 2, 1962, in Oxted, Surrey, to a working-class family. Starmer was the first in his family to attend university, studying Law at Leeds University. He married Victoria in 2007, and they have two children.
Should he be confirmed as the Prime Minister, Starmer will become the oldest person to hold the office in nearly half a century. His ascension to the top will mark a significant accomplishment, achieved only nine years after his initial entry into Parliament.
Starmer’s stance on Brexit has been clear: while he opposed Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, he has confirmed that a Labour government would not seek to rejoin the bloc.
