Britain is on the cusp of governmental change with Keir Starmer likely stepping up as the new Prime Minister. The results of the Britain Elections are almost conclusive. Exit polls suggest Starmer's Labour Party is significantly ahead of Rishi Sunak's Conservative Party. Counting for 624 out of 650 seats is almost complete, with the incumbent Conservatives landing only 111 seats to Labour's 410, while the Green Party has secured a single seat thus far.
The Labour Party under Keir Starmer has hinted at a resounding victory ending the Conservative Party's 14 years in power. Although the official UK Prime Ministerial election results are yet to be announced, getting to know Keir Starmer, who is likely to be Britain's next Prime Minister following this emphatic win, becomes imperative.
Who is Keir Starmer?
Keir Rodney Starmer is a British politician and lawyer, born on September 2, 1962 in Oxted, a small town in Surrey, England. According to AFP reports, he was one of four siblings raised on the outskirts of London in a humble household. His father, a toolmaker in a factory, named him after the Labour Party's first leader, Keir Hardie. Starmer's mother, a nurse at a hospital, passed away due to a serious illness when he was young, leading to a childhood faced with several hardships.
The First in His Family to Attend University
Despite the many challenges, Starmer never gave up. Excelling academically from a young age, his high exam scores earned him admission to a prestigious high school. He was the first in his family to attend university. In 1985, he received his Bachelor's degree in Law from Leeds University, followed by graduating with civil law from St Edmund Hall, Oxford University in 1986.
Source: aajtak
Provided Free Legal Advice to the Poor
After completing his law studies, Starmer dedicated much of his time to providing free legal advice to the poor. He represented the impoverished in several high-profile cases, garnering expertise in human rights-related matters. He advocated for trade unions, anti-McDonald's campaigners, and prisoners on death row internationally.
Married to Victoria Alexander in 2007
Starmer tied the knot with Victoria Alexander in 2007, and they have two children. Starmer is also a talented musician, having taken violin lessons at school alongside Norman Cook, who later gained fame as DJ Fatboy Slim for the Housemartins.
Source: aajtak
When Starmer First Carved a Name for Himself
In 2003, Starmer pivoted towards politics, taking a surprising role ensuring human rights laws compliance by the police in Northern Ireland. Five years later, then Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown appointed him as the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for England and Wales. Starmer served in this role from 2008 to 2013, leading prosecutions of MPs involved in expense scandals, journalists caught in phone-hacking incidents, and youths involved in riots across England.
Queen Elizabeth Bestowed the Esteemed Title of Knight
One of the most prestigious titles in Britain, knighthood is bestowed by the monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II knighted Starmer in 2014 at Buckingham Palace, after which he was referred to as 'Sir'; however, Starmer has always preferred to be called without any title. In a news interview, Starmer said, 'When I was the DPP, people called me Director, but I dissuaded them, asking to be called Keir Starmer instead.'
Source: aajtak
Starmer's Political Journey
Starmer was elected to Parliament for the first time in 2015, representing Holborn and St Pancras from 2015 to 2024. He served as the Minister for Immigration in the UK's Shadow Cabinet for a year. Additionally, from 2016 to 2020, he was the Shadow Secretary of State for Exit from the European Union (EU). In April 2020, he was elected as the leader of the Labour Party. Since 2020, he's been the leader of the opposition in the UK Parliament. He has shifted the Labour Party's ideological stance from far-left fringes to a more centrist, political middle-ground. Throughout the campaign, his message to voters has been that a Labour government will bring about change. His entire professional life has been dedicated to securing justice for those in need. At 61, he is set to become Britain's new Prime Minister.
Significance of UK Elections for India
India and the UK have been in talks for over two years regarding a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to boost bilateral trade. Labour's sweeping victory may change the dynamics of the ongoing FTA discussions between the two countries. If the polls are accurate, the current government in Britain will change, like in other European nations.
Following the victory, Keir Starmer addressing the media said, 'We've accomplished it. This was what you campaigned for, fought for, and voted for, and now the results speak for themselves. A new era of change has begun. Frankly, this is a transformed Labour Party, ready to serve the nation.'
