Keir Starmer Biography: Wikipedia, Age, Education, Legal Career, Political Offices, Wife, Children, Net Worth
Keir Starmer Biography
Keir Starmer is a British politician and barrister. He has served as the Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Labour Party since 2020. Starmer has been the Member of Parliament (MP) for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015. Prior to his political career, he held the position of Director of Public Prosecutions from 2008 to 2013.
As a barrister, he specialized in criminal defense work and human rights matters. He became a member of Doughty Street Chambers in 1990 and was appointed as Queen’s Counsel (QC) in 2002.
Starmer has taken significant political risks, including one that led to the end of his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour career. Despite being private and cautious, he has placed himself in the public spotlight and made bold decisions. He is considered the most working-class leader of the Labour party in a generation.
Keir Starmer Age
Keir Starmer is 61 years old as of 2024.
Keir Starmer Early Life and Education
Keir Starmer was born on September 2, 1962, in London, England. He grew up in Surrey and attended Reigate Grammar School, a selective state school that later became private during his time as a student there.
He was the first member of his family to attain a university degree. In 1985, he graduated from the University of Leeds with a bachelor of law degree. Following that, he earned a postgraduate bachelor of civil law degree at St. Edmund Hall, Oxford.
Keir Starmer Early Career and Music Prodigy
Before his legal and political career, Keir Starmer displayed musical talent. In his early years, he played the flute, piano, recorder, and violin. He was even a young scholar at the Guildhall School of Music in London.
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Keir Starmer Legal Career
After being called to the bar, Keir Starmer practiced predominantly in criminal defense work, specializing in human rights matters. He became a member of Doughty Street Chambers in 1990 and was appointed as Queen’s Counsel (QC) in 2002. His legal practice focused on criminal defense work, and he defended convicts sentenced to the death penalty in several Caribbean countries. Starmer’s commitment to human rights issues extended beyond the UK, as he served on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s death penalty advisory panel from 2002 to 2008.
Keir Starmer Political and Public Career
Keir Starmer’s political journey began when he became a human rights barrister, defending criminals sentenced to death in the Caribbean. He also worked pro bono to support two environmental activists in the McLibel Case against fast-food giant McDonald’s. In 2020, he was elected as the Leader of the Labour Party.
From 2008 to 2013, Starmer held the position of Director of Public Prosecutions. During his tenure, he oversaw criminal prosecutions in England and Wales.
Since 2015, Keir Starmer has been the MP for Holborn and St Pancras. Representing his constituents, he has actively participated in parliamentary debates, legislative processes, and committee work.
Keir Starmer Wife and Children
Keir Starmer is married to Lady Victoria Starmer, formerly known as Victoria Alexander. The couple has two children: a teenage son named Toby and a daughter.
Victoria comes from a background that includes Polish-Jewish heritage on her father’s side and a mother who converted to Judaism. The family is known to practice Jewish traditions, and they belong to London’s Liberal Jewish Synagogue.
Victoria Starmer has a career in law and works in occupational health for the NHS. She and Keir Starmer met through their work in the legal field and have been married since 2007. The family resides in Camden, within the Holborn and St Pancras constituency that Keir Starmer represents as an MP.
Keir Starmer Net Worth
As of 2024, Keir Starmer’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 million.