Keir Starmer: From Indie Kid to Prime Minister

Three years ago, Sir Keir Starmer seriously considered leaving Labour. At that point in 2021, Labour had just experienced its first ever loss at Hartlepool by-election – in other words ever. These three brief years seem distant now in terms of politics. Sir Keir has only ever been five people to lead Labour from opposition into power in British history. His party has come a long way since their historic loss at the general election in 2019 to becoming winners at 2024, although Hartlepool highlights that Sir Keir’s road hasn’t always been smooth. At first, Keir Starmer’s life and career appeared to follow an entirely different course. Born to parents who supported Labour politics, one of four children of Keir’s was raised in Oxted on Kent-Surrey border between Kent and Surrey by both toolmaker father (toolmaker father) and nurse mother who both suffered from Still’s disease – with latter suffering an incapacitating form of arthritis known as Still’s disease herself – but also by toolmaker father and nurse mother, who raised him during high inflation of 1970s inflationary times – something Sir Keir has spoken openly about during that period of growth was both difficult yet rewarding at times of economic progress! “Working class people are terrified of debt,” said Paul during the election campaign. “My mum and dad would choose bills they couldn’t pay.” Labor party/PAA young Keir excelled at music, mastering flute, piano, violin and recorder among many other instruments. As for Sir Keir himself in his younger years, his focus was clearly football (center left midfield to be precise!). Sir Keir was an outstanding musician who studied violin with Norman Cook – later to be famous as Fatboy Slim DJ – who went on to found Fatboy Slim Records. Sir Keir also showed some rebellious tendencies; once caught selling illegal ice-cream on French beaches to raise cash.But what of Sir Keir as a politician? There were always clues, including his name which paid homage to Keir Hardie – first leader of the Labour Party who dabbled with leftist politics during his pre-parliamentary life and who inspired the name given him as tribute. Keir Starmer/Tom Baldwin | Sir Keir, shown lying down here with flatmates during his student years at Leeds, first joined Young Socialists – Labour’s youth movement – when in high school. Following this he became one of his family’s first to attend university by majoring in law at both Leeds University and then Oxford universities. Politics was always just a side interest and, over the next 20 years, legal career was his main pursuit. He earned promotion to Director of Public Prosecutions – England and Wales chief prosecutor -in 2008; Sir Keir often talks about this period as evidence of his dedication to serving public interest, often recalling prosecuting terrorist gangs at that time. But What Else is Sir Keir doing Now? under the 2010-15 coalition government? Since Sir Keir was mostly known for his legal career as a defense barrister; during these cuts to the Crown Prosecution Service’s budget by over 25%; overseen high profile decisions such as prosecuting MPs over expenses following 2009 scandal and prosecuting then Liberal Dem cabinet minister Chris Huhne for asking his wife to collect speeding points; ultimately being awarded with knighthood in 2014. But was his leadership effective? At the conclusion of his term, Sir Keir admitted to BBC interviewers that vulnerable victims were still being let down by the justice system.A late career changeIt took until Sir Keir reached 52 before his career changed significantly. Sir Keir was elected comfortably to his safe Labour seat in North London, along with Rishi Sunak who became his predecessor on that very same day – yet this momentous occasion did not mark an auspicious milestone in Labour Party history. After winning the general election, and following Jeremy Corbyn becoming leader, factional tensions and factional warfare commenced between factions within Labour. Many have speculated over Sir Keir’s loyalty towards Corbyn; many articles and books have also discussed Sir Keir’s journey from backbencher to Labour leadership – and now Downing Street. However, certain details warrant highlighting. When Jeremy Corbyn became leader, Sir Keir was made shadow immigration minister; this appointment ultimately did not last. Sir Keir quit after only nine months as part of an attempt to force out Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn after Brexit referendum results were published, hoping they’d pave the way for him. When that didn’t work out and Mr Corbyn saw off any leadership challenges from other frontbenchers he returned as shadow Brexit secretary and back into Labour ranks as shadow leader himself. Labor in declineUltimately his view on Corbyn has changed over time as more frontbenchers leave as their respective opinions of him change with time as has his opinion of him on him evolving alongside this leader who remains as Labour’s leader he stands today compared with when first starting off his first election as shadow Brexit secretary back when first launched as Labour leader by one-two punch from within Labor and also saw off any leadership challenge from within; when that failed and Mr Corbyn survived one such as challenge from within as deputy leader; Sir Keir returned as shadow Brexit secretary under Corbyn again as leader; then rejoining as shadow Brexit secretary after seeing off any leadership challenge against Corbyn saw off an attempted leadership challenge from within Labor; once back as shadow Brexit secretary (labour in doldrums), however; his position regarding him has slowly evolved as time has progressed over the same time and through Labors doldrums). Labour In doldrums; Sir Keir has developed over time as his perception on Corbyn eventually saw off a subsequent leadership challenge and after seeing off another successful in 2017 his position has evolved gradually since returning subsequently subsequently becoming shadow Brexit Secretary from shadow Brexit secretary position and returning back into fold wherebyn saw off an eventual leadership challenge against Corbyn saw off subsequent leadership challenge before return; returning back into fold once more serving him back to rejoine later joined Corbyn returned back shifted. Labour in doldrums has passed; Labour in doldrums In 2019, he was asked on BBC Breakfast to repeat “Jeremy Corbyn would make an excellent prime minister”. He did so. Subsequently, he told them he supported Mr Corbyn “100%”, working alongside him towards winning general elections together. Sir Keir was one of few who refused to break ranks from Mr Corbyn; instead helping persuading the leader to back a second Brexit referendum at the 2019 election was disastrous for Labour; after which Mr Corbyn quit and Sir Keir won his race as his replacement. But after Boris Johnson took power, many thought he might lead for some time. Many saw Sir Keir as someone who could help rebuild Labour – yet few thought he could lead them back into power.ReutersSir Keir made significant changes during his time as an opposition member; polling provides us with some clues as to when these alterations took place. Sir Keir’s Labour party lagged behind Mr Johnson’s Conservatives for much of 2020-2021 in opinion polls leading up to Hartlepool by-election in March 2021. But that began to shift after reports surfaced of Downing Street parties during the pandemic, when social events were prohibited due to health restrictions. There is a clearly discernable point in polls where Labour overtakes Conservatives by November 2021. At Liz Truss’ mini budget, Labour saw its lead increase significantly and remain consistent and significant ever since. Allies of Sir Keir claim this would not have happened without major structural reform within Labour – while Sir Keir himself can often be described as being “ruthless”. Jeremy Corbyn was expelled from his parliamentary party and barred from standing as a Labour candidate. Furthermore, economic policy tightened significantly; policies were scrapped if they did not appear affordable to society as a whole. Sir Keir has adopted British patriotism with enthusiasm, using the union jack as the backdrop to his speeches and inciting conference attendees to sing God Save the King during conference proceedings – all elements that have helped support Sir Keir’s message of change. Keir Starmer used the campaign trail to argue he had transformed Labour, as well as making claims he could transform Britain as well. Keir and Victoria married in 2007 – this election will mark another chapter for Sir Keir and Victoria Starmer’s family life too! Keir, now 61 years old, married Victoria back then too – also new for them will be change for them and for each member of their clan; Sir Keir now having taken early retirement following that marriage and having become Sir Keir’s own electoral loss marks an inevitable transformation within their extended clan; since Sir Keir got involved he’s made by Tom Baldwin that may bring them one final election victory as his campaigned his victory will bring changes within them too – with Sir Keir marrying Victoria when she became available last time while campaigning 61 himself having married his Victoria back then also now on 21 March 2017 before taking his seat to represent his former Labour rival Labour leader with them all feeling hopeful but anxious that can change after election result is finalised this time round too 61 and his successor Victoria joining his former Labour family’s estate has also witnessed change as Sir Keir became its current owner during 2007! Keir’s successor has joined his wife Victoria on 22 May 2007 making changeful change within Sir Keir having married Victoria on 22 May 2007 before having the election result being decided upon having married his successor Victoria on 12 March 2007. Lady Starmer plans on continuing working for the NHS as prime minister as an occupational hygienist. She has made appearances at high-profile events like conference speeches and rallies as well as attending Taylor Swift concerts – Lady Starmer even appeared at one! However, she may not play as prominent of a role as many former partners have done in public life. Sir Keir has spoken openly of the potentially disruptive impacts high office could have on his teenage son and daughter; telling the BBC in 2021, he expressed concerns for their welfare by telling the station “My main worry right now is how best we will protect them through this experience”. It will be up to Starmers now as they move into Downing Street following what has likely been an eventful journey from Parliament Hill.