The Labour Party, the main Opposition in Britain, is expected to win a decisive victory in the general election, according to exit polls released on Thursday. Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, is poised to succeed as Britain’s next prime minister.
Exit polls suggest that the centre-left Labour Party will secure 410 out of 650 seats in the House of Commons, surpassing the majority mark by 170 seats. Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party is forecasted to win only 131 seats, marking a historic low. Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party is projected to win 13 seats.
Keir Starmer, aged 61 and knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to law and criminal justice, is set to become Britain’s next prime minister. He first entered Parliament as a member from London in 2015 and is a lawyer by profession.
Starmer, who has two children with his wife Victoria, an NHS employee, is credited with revitalizing the Labour Party after its poor performance in the 2019 general election. He has strengthened ties with the significant Indian diaspora, which felt marginalized under previous leader Jeremy Corbyn due to concerns over his stance on Kashmir.
In a speech last year, Starmer emphasized the importance of a strong UK-India relationship based on shared democratic values and aspirations. His 2024 election manifesto pledges to forge a new strategic partnership with India, including a free trade agreement, and deepen cooperation in security, education, technology, and climate change.
Earlier this year, Starmer visited the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in London and assured the Hindu community of his commitment to combatting Hinduphobia in Britain.
Starmer’s upbringing was marked by financial challenges; he grew up in Surrey’s Oxted, where his father worked as a toolmaker and his mother as a nurse. His mother passed away in 2015 from Still’s disease shortly after he entered Parliament.
Educated in law at the University of Oxford, Starmer served as Director of Public Prosecutions under a Labour-led government. He has a passion for soccer and was named after Keir Hardie, the first leader of the Labour Party.
Throughout his campaign, Starmer has shared personal stories of financial struggles during his youth, reflecting on tough decisions like choosing which bills to pay.
He was the first in his family to attend college, marking a significant milestone in his personal journey.