15 April 2020 / Patrick Allen

Issue: 7884 / Categories: Opinion , Profession

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Labour under Keir Starmer: reasons to be cheerful?

© Copyright LexisNexis 2026. All Rights Reserved.

Sir Keir Starmer’s appointment marks the return of an effective opposition, says Patrick Allen

Sir Keir Starmer QC was finally appointed last month as leader of the Labour Party with the ending of the interminably long election process.

This is welcome news for the country and all who care about progressive causes. For the past four months we have had no effective opposition to the government and the last leader presided over the worst result that Labour has achieved in an election since 1935.

But the legal profession should be especially pleased that Keir Starmer will now occupy one of the most influential roles in politics. Starmer is someone with an intimate knowledge of the legal system and the courts and has every chance of becoming Prime Minister.

Legal career

Starmer brings many good qualities and wide experience to the role of leader of the opposition. First, his legal background and training. He enjoyed an eminent career at the bar, becoming a QC at the age of 39, and was named QC of the year in 2007

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Labour under Keir Starmer: reasons to be cheerful?

© Copyright LexisNexis 2026. All Rights Reserved.

Issue: 7884 / Categories: Opinion , Profession

Sir Keir Starmer’s appointment marks the return of an effective opposition, says Patrick Allen

Sir Keir Starmer QC was finally appointed last month as leader of the Labour Party with the ending of the interminably long election process.

This is welcome news for the country and all who care about progressive causes. For the past four months we have had no effective opposition to the government and the last leader presided over the worst result that Labour has achieved in an election since 1935.

But the legal profession should be especially pleased that Keir Starmer will now occupy one of the most influential roles in politics. Starmer is someone with an intimate knowledge of the legal system and the courts and has every chance of becoming Prime Minister.

Legal career

Starmer brings many good qualities and wide experience to the role of leader of the opposition. First, his legal background and training. He enjoyed an eminent career at the bar, becoming a QC at the age of 39, and was named QC of the year

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content

If you are already a subscriber sign in

...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

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