Keir Starmer: Labour leader hoping for keys to Downing Street

One of four children, Sir Keir grew up in Oxted, Surrey.

His parents were staunch Labour supporters and named their son after the party’s first MP, Keir Hardie.

After passing the 11-plus exam, he got a place at Reigate Grammar School, which became a private school two years later, although existing pupils, like Starmer, had their fees paid by the local council until they were 16.

In the sixth form, his fees were covered by a grant, according to the Telegraph, external.

He was politically active from an early age, joining the East Surrey Young Socialists, the youth branch of the local Labour Party, at the age of 16.

He also excelled at music, playing the flute, piano, violin and recorder and even sharing lessons with Norman Cook, who would become known as chart-topping DJ Fatboy Slim.

However, there were also challenges – his mum suffered from Still’s disease, a rare autoimmune condition which eventually left her unable to speak or walk.

In interviews, Sir Keir has recalled how she spent much of his childhood in and out of hospital as her health deteriorated.

He wasn’t as close to his father, who he has described as “a difficult man” who could be remote, although he said he was “devoted” to his wife and “incredibly hard-working”.

The first in his family to go to university, the young activist had considered studying politics but was encouraged by his parents to go for law.