I’m a husband, father, and former Chief Prosecutor. My entire career has been about securing justice and change for those that need it. From representing people on death row as a human rights lawyer, to working on setting up the Northern Ireland Police Board in the wake of the Good Friday agreement, to making the law work for victims as Chief Prosecutor. I am determined to make sure organisations work for the people they are supposed to serve. It was an honour to be elected leader of the Labour Party in 2020, to continue this work.
The Prime Minister is the leader of Her Majesty’s Government and is ultimately responsible for the policy and decisions of the government. As leader of the UK government, the Prime Minister also:
As Minister for the Union, the Prime Minister works to ensure that all the government is acting on behalf of the entire United Kingdom: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Cabinet Office and Prime Minister’s Office, 10 Downing Street
The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer MP is a prominent British politician who has served as the Leader of the Labour Party and the Leader of the Opposition. Born on September 2, 1962, in Southwark, London, Starmer grew up in a working-class family. He was educated at Reigate Grammar School and later attended the University of Leeds, where he studied Law. Starmer furthered his legal education at the University of Oxford, earning a Bachelor of Civil Law (BCL) degree. His academic achievements laid a strong foundation for his distinguished career in law and public service.
Before entering politics, Keir Starmer had a notable career as a barrister and human rights lawyer. He was called to the Bar in 1987 and developed a reputation for his work on high-profile cases involving civil liberties and human rights. Starmer’s expertise in law led him to become Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and Head of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in 2008. During his tenure as DPP, he was known for his focus on improving the quality of justice and prosecuting complex cases, including those involving human trafficking and terrorism. His leadership in the CPS earned him widespread recognition and respect in the legal community.
Keir Starmer was elected as the Labour MP for Holborn and St Pancras in the 2015 general election. He quickly became known for his thoughtful and pragmatic approach to parliamentary work. In April 2020, following the resignation of Jeremy Corbyn, Starmer was elected Leader of the Labour Party. As Leader of the Opposition, he has focused on rebuilding the party’s image and policy platform, emphasizing issues such as economic recovery, social justice, and public health. His leadership has been marked by efforts to address internal party challenges and to present a unified and credible alternative to the Conservative government.
Starmer’s tenure as Labour Leader has been characterized by his commitment to progressive policies and his efforts to regain public trust and electoral support. His background in law and experience as a public servant have equipped him with the skills to address complex political issues and to advocate for effective and fair governance. As a key figure in British politics, Keir Starmer continues to play a significant role in shaping the future direction of the Labour Party and influencing national policy debates.
The First Lord of the Treasury is one of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. This role is usually held by the Prime Minister. Since the 17th century, the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury have collectively carried out duties that were previously held by the Lord High Treasurer (head of Her Majesty’s Treasury). The Lords Commissioners of the Treasury also include:
10 Downing Street is the official residence of the First Lord of the Treasury, and not of the Prime Minister.
The Minister for the Civil Service is responsible for regulating the Civil Service. The Civil Service (Management Functions) Act of 1992, allows the Minister for the Civil Service to delegate power to other ministers and devolved administrations. This role was created in 1968 and is always held by the Prime Minister.
As Minister for the Union, the Prime Minister works to ensure that all of the government is acting on behalf of the entire United Kingdom: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
10 Downing Street, Office of Prime Minister also known colloquially in the United Kingdom simply as Number 10, is the headquarters of the Government of the United Kingdom and the official residence and office of the First Lord of the Treasury, a post which, for much of the 18th and 19th centuries and invariably since 1905, has been held by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
10 Downing Street, the locale of British prime ministers since 1735, vies with the White House as being the most important political building anywhere in the world in the modern era. Behind its black door have been taken the most important decisions affecting Britain for the last 275 years. In the 20th century alone, the First and Second World Wars were directed from within it, as were the key decisions about the end of the empire, the building of the British nuclear bomb, the handling of economic crises from the Great Depression in 1929 to the great recession, and the building up of the welfare state.
Some of the most famous political figures of modern history have lived and worked in Number 10, including Robert Walpole, Pitt the Younger, Benjamin Disraeli, William Gladstone, David Lloyd George, Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher. Number 10 has 3 overlapping functions. It is the official residence of the British Prime Minister: it is their office, and it is also the place where the Prime Minister entertains guests from Her Majesty The Queen to presidents of the United States and other world leaders. The Prime Minister hosts countless receptions and events for a whole range of British and overseas guests, with charitable receptions high up the list.
The building is much larger than it appears from its frontage. The hall with the chequered floor immediately behind the front door lets on to a warren of rooms and staircases. The house in Downing Street was joined to a more spacious and elegant building behind it in the early 18th century. Number 10 has also spread itself out to the left of the front door, and has taken over much of 12 Downing Street, which is accessed by a corridor that runs through 11 Downing Street – the official residence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer.