Who is Keir Starmer?
He was the Attorney General for England and Wales. Keir Starmer, the son of a factory worker and a nurse who also supports the Labour Party, is 61. He was born in London but grew up in Oxted, in southeast England. A law graduate from Leeds University, he entered politics late: he was only elected as an MP in 2015 and replaced Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader in 2020. Since then, he has insisted on moving the party closer to the centre.
He is a huge football fan and an Arsenal supporter. Starmer has been married to Victoria Alexander – known as Lady Vic among Labour MPs – since 2007 and has two children, a boy and a girl, both in their teens. In June, he told Sky News he feared the impact the prime minister's election could have on his family. “They are at a difficult age,” he said, adding that he had not yet appeared in public with his children “to protect them”.
During the election campaign, he identified six priorities. Starmer promised economic stability, a reduction in NHS waiting lists, stronger policing, a new energy policy, opening up teaching posts and setting up a command centre to boost border security. Asked how he would like to be remembered, he replied: “As someone who had a bold, reformist Labour government. As a great father and friend.”
I hate losing, especially in football and politics. I play football every week, in the middle of the pitch, and I control things. Many people say that the important thing is to participate. I don't think so. What matters is winning.
Keir Starmer to The Guardian in August 2023
