In what could be a significant political shift for the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, a human rights lawyer and leader of the Labour Party, is likely to become the country's next prime minister. Polls indicate that the Labour Party is poised to win the upcoming parliamentary election by a landslide.

At 61 years old, Starmer is considered a social liberal and fiscal moderate. He has been a member of parliament since 2015 and took over as the leader of the opposition in 2020, making him Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's main rival. If elected, Starmer would be the first Labour leader to win a general election since Tony Blair in 2005.

The Labour Party's potential victory comes after 14 years of Conservative Party rule. Issues such as Brexit, the leadership of Boris Johnson, and the economic instability of his successor Liz Truss have created a perception of missteps within the ruling party. Starmer is positioning himself as a competent leader who can restore stability and address the needs of the public.

As part of his election campaign, Starmer has promised to address various key issues. His agenda includes restoring competency to the government, nationalizing some railways and utility companies, raising the minimum wage, taxing private school tuition, improving the public health system, and introducing free breakfast in public elementary schools.

Starmer's upbringing as the son of "proper old-fashioned socialists" influenced his political journey. He faced teasing over his uncommon first name, Keir, which means dark or brooding in Gaelic and Irish. His parents, who have since passed away, may have named him after Keir Hardie, the founder of the Labour Party. Starmer's father's blue-collar background and his mother's work as a nurse in the National Health Service played a significant role in shaping his views on social class and the importance of accessible healthcare.

Before his political career, Starmer worked as a human rights lawyer, fighting cases against oil companies and McDonald's. There has been speculation that Starmer was the inspiration for the brooding lawyer character, Mark Darcy, in the Bridget Jones book and movie franchise. While the rumors remain unverified, Starmer has expressed being flattered by the comparison.

Starmer's transition from defending individuals accused of crimes to becoming a prosecutor was met with criticism from some of his left-wing human rights colleagues. However, it allowed him to exercise more influence in the criminal justice system. He revised rules to expedite prosecutions during the 2011 London riots, emphasizing the effectiveness of speedy trials as a deterrent.

In 2014, Starmer was knighted for his contributions to criminal justice. This accolade marked a significant turnaround for someone who had previously called for the abolition of the British monarchy. At the knighthood ceremony, Starmer knelt before Charles, the prince of Wales, who tapped him on both shoulders with a sword.

As Starmer's leadership of the Labour Party has progressed, he has aimed to position the party toward the center, moving away from the left-wing leadership of Jeremy Corbyn. He suspended Corbyn from the party following accusations of antisemitism. Starmer envisions a post-Corbyn Labour Party focused on being a party of power rather than just protest.

The upcoming election represents a crucial opportunity for the Labour Party to improve relations with Europe, enact policies such as taxing private school tuition, banning the sale of gas and diesel cars by 2030, and restoring competency to government. However, some critics argue that expectations for Starmer may be too high given the significant challenges inherited from years of Conservative-backed austerity measures.

While Starmer has faced criticism for being perceived as "boring," some believe that his sober and sensible approach to governance is precisely what the UK needs after the tumultuous tenure of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. Ultimately, the election will be a test of whether voters' discontent with the Conservatives will be enough to propel Starmer into the role of UK prime minister.