Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer arrived at his former college, St Edmund Hall, at around 1 p.m. today, (Friday 21 February). Starmer received a BCL from the college in 1986, after having graduated with a first class LLB from the University of Leeds.
The purpose of the prime minister’s visit is not yet clear, though he was accompanied while touring the college by the principal of St Edmund Hall Baroness Kathy Willis. He also stopped to take photographs with current students, who gathered at the news of his presence in the college.
Starmer is an honorary fellow at the college, which celebrated his election victory last summer in the Aularian magazine as well as in the college’s High Street address, where advertisements for the college as well as displays of important work by students and alumni are frequently placed. Starmer is the first prime minister to have graduated from St Edmund Hall.
In an exclusive statement to The Oxford Blue, first-year History and Politics student Guus Wijnne said ‘For being the prime minister, Keir Starmer was shockingly nonchalant! Getting the picture was quite easy, just politely asking whilst holding the flag. Very surprising to see him around college, not exactly what I was expecting after just having lunch. A shame he didn’t try out lunch in hall, it’s probably better than in his time!’.
St Edmund Hall was approached for comment, and stated that ‘On Friday 21 February, St Edmund Hall was delighted to welcome Prime Minister, Honorary Fellow and alumnus Sir Keir Starmer back to the Hall.
Sir Keir had a tour of the college, accompanied by Principal Professor Baroness Willis and Emeritus Law Fellow Professor Adrian Briggs, and met with members of the Fellowship, staff and students’.