Keir Starmer pays tribute to brother who died on Boxing Day
Keir Starmer has honored his brother, Nick, who passed away from cancer on Boxing Day at the age of 60.
The prime minister described his younger brother as "an amazing person" who faced every challenge life presented with bravery and a positive attitude.
He expressed his gratitude by saying, "I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who provided care and support for Nick. Their expertise and kindness mean a lot to me."
Starmer was planning to take a family vacation overseas on Friday, but he has decided to remain at home instead.
A representative for the prime minister expressed, "We are deeply saddened to share the news of Nick Starmer's passing. At the age of 60, Nick passed away peacefully on the afternoon of December 26 after a courageous fight against cancer. We kindly ask for privacy for his extended family during this difficult moment."
Starmer has previously expressed how much he cares for Nick, who faced learning challenges as a result of complications during his birth.
In school, Nick was marked as "remedial" and told he would never learn to read, but he managed to defy those expectations. He was placed in a special class that had lessons in a village hall and didn't take any exams, leaving school without any official qualifications.
He eventually obtained a technical credential and took on jobs involving scrap cars and scaffolding. However, he faced many challenges in life. His ongoing health issues made it hard for him to maintain steady employment over time.
In a biography by Tom Baldwin, Starmer shared stories of how he and his siblings would stand up to bullies at school to defend Nick. The two brothers slept in bunk beds in a cozy room together until Keir left for university at the age of 18.
"We were a family of six, which meant I never felt alone, and I had to share a room with him. However, Nick struggled to make friends and other kids would often call him 'dumb' or 'silly,' Starmer explained to Baldwin. "Even today, I make an effort not to use those kinds of words when talking about others."
During the local election campaign in 2022, Starmer quietly stepped away for a while to visit Nick in a hospital in Leeds, where he was seriously ill and came close to death.
The prime minister shared his brother's experience to illustrate that not everyone from a working-class background ends up having a more comfortable life than their parents did.
Reflecting on his brother's journey, he shared, "It’s all very touching… Nick has faced many challenges in life. The aspirations our parents had for us haven't materialized. I feel a profound sadness for my brother and for them because of this."
He remembered how his father, Rodney, often said to him, “Nick has accomplished just as much as you, Keir," because Nick had faced more difficult challenges.
Starmer’s sister Katy, who is Nick’s twin, previously worked as a nurse and now supports adults with Down’s syndrome. Their oldest sister, Anna, attended a horticulture college before starting a family and eventually found a job at a garden center.
In his biography of Baldwin, Starmer remembered serving as the best man at Nick's wedding. He mentioned that he had borrowed a car for the occasion to make sure that Nick wouldn't have to drive his new wife from the church in his old, scruffy minivan, which was filled with his belongings in the back.
On that day, Starmer realized there wasn't any reception set up, so he quickly headed to Tesco to grab some sandwiches for an impromptu gathering in Nick's backyard.