Sir Keir Starmer: Five things about the new prime minister

Sir Keir Starmer is the new prime minister of the United Kingdom.

The 2024 general election saw the Conservative Party lose power for the first time since 2010.

So who is Sir Keir Starmer?

Here are five things you need to know about our new prime minister.

He's a former lawyer

Sir Keir Starmer was the first member of his family to go to university, where he studied Law.

He became a barrister in 1987 and specialised in human rights issues.

In 2008, he was appointed as head of the Crown Prosecution Service, an independent agency whose duty it is to make sure criminals are brought to justice in court.

He became Sir Keir Starmer after being awarded a knighthood in 2014 for his services to criminal justice.

Family is important to him

Keir Starmer with his wife Victoria

Sir Keir Starmer has two teenagers - a son and a daughter - with his wife Victoria, who works for the NHS.

He's said he wants to set aside time for his family every Friday while he's in the top job, hoping to finish work by 6pm.

His wife is Jewish and Friday night dinner is a celebration in Judaism when many families sit down to eat together.

During the campaign he said: “On a Friday – I’ve been doing this for years – I will not do a work-related thing after 6pm, pretty well come what may.

"There are a few exceptions, but that’s what we do."

Starmer is PM number 58

Mr Starmer has been leader of the Labour party since 2020 and is the country's 58th prime minister.

He was born in 1962.

His dad was a toolmaker in a factory and his mum was a nurse in the NHS.

His mum lived with a rare illness which often left her in hospital, which he says gave him a "deep gratitude for the NHS."

He's a football fan

Keir Starmer is a massive football fan and has supported Arsenal all his life.

He still plays every Sunday with his friends and can often be spotted at matches with his children thanks to his season ticket!

He has a cat

No 10's chief mouser, Larry the cat

Will Larry the cat have competition once Keir Starmer and his family move in to 10 Downing Street?

The Starmer's have their own cat called Jojo, a rescue that will be joining them.

The Labour leader told the BBC that the family's cat “is given far more respect than I am” at home.