Who is the new Prime Minister of Great Britain?

LONDON — After 14 years of tumultuous conservative rule, Britain's Labor Party is expected to shake up the country's politics this year with a return to power.

The left-of-centre opposition party maintains a lead of around 20 points over current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservatives, according to the latest figures. YouGov poll. The voting intentions survey, conducted on June 12 and 13, showed Labor at 37%, the Conservatives at 18% and the recently re-emerged Brexit figurehead Nigel Farage's Reform at 19%.

But who is Keir Starmer – the Labor leader and the clear favorite to become Prime Minister after the UK's July 4 elections? And what does he stand for?

Starmer was born in London, England in 1962 to a father who worked as a toolmaker and a mother who worked as a nurse.

The 61-year-old has often cited his humble beginnings as a point of connection with British voters, and says his mother's lifelong battle with serious illness has given him deep gratitude for the National Health Service (NHS).

Starmer became the first in his family to go to university, studying law at the University of Leeds. After postgraduate studies at Oxford University, Starmer began working as a lawyer in 1987, taking on high-profile cases including against the mine closures of Shell, McDonald's and former Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Starmer also served as a human rights adviser during former Labor Prime Minister Tony Blair's Northern Ireland Good Friday Agreement.

Starmer did just that in his 2024 election campaign touted a “decade of national renewal” for the country, after what Labor has described as years of austerity and falling living standards under the Tories.

In the party's election manifesto, published last week, Starmer outlined spending measures to create a new state energy company, cut waiting times for the NHS, build new homes and renationalise rail services.

But he also positioned himself as a staunch supporter of business, continuing his years-long charm offensive against traditionally right-wing voters with plans for “wealth creation” and a National Wealth Fund.

“Economic growth and social justice must go hand in hand,” Starmer said at the launch of the manifesto.

Labor has outlined five long-term missions when it comes to power: boosting economic growth, investing in green energy, overhauling the NHS, creating safer streets and providing 'opportunities' through a new skills agenda. To support these aims, Starmer is planning a radical shake-up of government ministries and Labor officials told the FT.

Starmer, who voted Remain in Britain's 2016 EU referendum, has also pledged to improve the “failed” trade deal between Britain and the EU, including in areas such as trade, research and security. However, he has insisted there is no reason for Britain to rejoin the bloc.

Despite his change agenda, Starmer is seen by many as an establishment figure who lacks the charisma of other politicians. a YouGov poll from earlier this year placed him behind Reform's Farage in terms of public popularity – and his approval ratings fell further among younger voters.

Critics have also questioned Starmer's core values ​​- for example by remaining in Corbyn's top team even as the party leader was accused of anti-Semitism within Labour. Starmer later suspended Corbyn from the party. Others have accused him of betraying the left by courting corporate executives and abandoning promises abolition of university fees.

But after a bumpy few years for British politics – with three different Conservative prime ministers in 2022 alone – Starmer's supporters are defending him as a neutral figure of stability after a period of significant political turmoil.

– CNBC's Katrina Bishop contributed to this report.