Early Life And Education

Keir Starmer: Everything you need to know about the Labour Party leader

Early life and education

Keir Rodney Starmer was born on 2 September 1962 in Southwark, London. He grew up in the small town of Oxted in Surrey and was the second of four children. His father was a toolmaker and his mother worked as a nurse. Starmer attended Reigate Grammar School and then went on to study law at the University of Leeds.

Career

After graduating from university, Starmer worked as a barrister. He became a Queen's Counsel in 2002 and was appointed Director of Public Prosecutions in 2008. In 2015, he was elected as the Labour MP for Holborn and St Pancras.

Political career

Starmer has served in a number of shadow cabinet positions, including Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union and Shadow Home Secretary. In 2020, he was elected leader of the Labour Party.

Personal life

Starmer is married to Victoria Alexander, a lawyer-turned-occupational health worker. They have two children, a 15-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter.