Early Life and Education of Keir Starmer: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Keir Starmer. A timeline of key moments.

Keir Starmer is a British politician and lawyer, currently serving as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom since 2024 and Leader of the Labour Party since 2020. He also served as Leader of the Opposition from 2020 to 2024. Starmer has been the Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras since 2015. Prior to entering politics, he was the Director of Public Prosecutions from 2008 to 2013, highlighting his extensive legal background.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

September 1962: Keir Starmer's Birth

In September 1962, Keir Rodney Starmer was born. He is a British politician and lawyer.

September 1962: Birth of Keir Starmer

On 2 September 1962, Keir Rodney Starmer was born in Southwark, south east London, and grew up in Oxted, Surrey.

1976: Reigate Grammar School becomes independent

In 1976, Reigate Grammar School converted into an independent fee-paying school while Keir Starmer was a student there.

1985: Graduated from the University of Leeds

In 1985, Keir Starmer graduated from the University of Leeds with a first class LLB.

1986: Took BCL degree from the University of Oxford

In 1986, Keir Starmer pursued postgraduate studies in jurisprudence taking a Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) degree from the University of Oxford.

2003: Protest against the Iraq War

Following the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Starmer authored legal opinions and marched in protest against the Iraq War.

2004: Engagement to Victoria Alexander

Keir Starmer and Victoria Alexander became engaged in 2004 after working on the same case.

2005: Statement on Queen's Counsel

In 2005, Starmer said "I got made a Queen's Counsel, which is odd since I often used to propose the abolition of the monarchy".

May 2007: Marriage to Victoria Alexander

On May 6, 2007, Keir Starmer married Victoria Alexander at the Fennes Estate near Bocking, Essex.

2015: Belief about Iraq War

In 2015 Starmer stated that he believed that the 2003 Iraq war was "not lawful under international law because there was no UN resolution expressly authorising it".

2015: Refusal to confirm naming

In 2015, Starmer did not confirm whether he was named after the Labour Party's first parliamentary leader, Keir Hardie.

2016: Supported Remain campaign in EU membership referendum

In 2016, Keir Starmer supported the Remain campaign in the European Union membership referendum and advocated a proposed second referendum on Brexit.

2022: Elected Honorary Fellow of St Edmund Hall, Oxford

In 2022, Keir Starmer was elected an Honorary Fellow of St Edmund Hall, Oxford.

September 2024: Adoption of Kitten Prince

Since September 2024, Starmer and his family have kept a Siberian kitten, named Prince, at 10 Downing Street.

December 2024: Death of Brother Nick

On December 26, 2024, Starmer's brother Nick died following a cancer diagnosis.

2024: Comments on Family Life During Election Campaign

During the 2024 general election campaign, Starmer expressed concerns about the impact of becoming prime minister on his children and stated he would try to avoid working after 6 p.m. on Fridays to observe Shabbat dinners.