Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, aims to lead the UK as Prime Minister in the 2024 elections, focusing on NHS investment, sustainability, and immigration reform.
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The UK is taking to its polls on July 4, 2024. Labour is currently polling ahead of the Conservatives. This means that all eyes are on Keir Starmer, the leader of the opposition party. Here’s a closer look at the man who may or may not become the next Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Age
Stamer was born on September 2, 1962, in London, making him 61 years old. He was named after the first parliamentary leader of the Labour Party, J. Keir Hardie. Starmer was raised in Oxted, Surrey. His mother was a nurse and his father a toolmaker. He often refers to his upbringing as “working class.” He was also the first in his family to attend university. He earned a law degree from the University of Leeds and a postgraduate degree from Oxford University.
Controversies
Starmer served as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). However, his tenure was not without controversy. His decision against prosecuting media personality Jimmy Savile came under intense scrutiny. Prime Minister Boris Johnson accused Starmer of being responsible for this decision. However the claim was widely viewed as politically motivated.
More recently, Starmer came under scrutiny for welcoming former Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke into the Labour Party. Questions were raised about his dedication to addressing violence against women and girls. He has also been condemned for the Labour leadership’s alleged purging of left-wing figures from the party. Although, he has denied these claims.
Wife
Starmer is married to Victoria ALexander. She is a solicitor who now works in occupational health for the NHS. The two got hitched in 2007. Their relationship started off in the legal field, when at the time, Victoria worked in law. Starmer has often described their meeting as less-than-romantic.
Children
The couple has two children, a 15-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter. They reside in North London.
Net Worth
In the 2022-23 tax year, Keir Starmer paid £99,431 in UK tax on an income of £404,03. This included his salaries as an MP and leader of the opposition. It also included income from the sale of a field previously used by his parents. The field was used to care for neglected donkeys.
Keir Starmer will once again come under scrutiny as the UK heads towards polling day. Only time will tell whether he leads his party into an electoral victory.
