UK

The real SIR Keir Starmer: Part II

BY AILBHE REA AND AGNES CHAMBRE

POLITICO UK

JUNE 30, 2023 

 

In the second half of a two-part profile, hosts Ailbhe Rea and Aggie Chambre take a closer look at the man hoping to become Britain’s next prime minister.

This week they take listeners through Starmer’s political career so far, from entering parliament as a political novice in 2015, through the difficult days of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, to his own successful leadership bid and beyond.

They hear from Starmer’s closest political advisers: Ben Nunn, his former head of communications; Chris Ward, formerly his deputy chief of staff; and key ally Jenny Chapman, who casts new light on the infamous pledges Starmer made — and subsequently broke — during the 2020 Labour leadership contest.

They also hear from Corbyn’s head of policy, Andrew Fisher, for a very different take on Starmer’s rise to power. Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting explains what angers the Labour leader around the shadow Cabinet table.  And the podcast travels to Starmer’s current neighbourhood in north London, visiting both his favorite pub and an infamous kitchen table.