Who is Keir Starmer, really? | Andrew Marr | The New Statesman

Andrew Marr reveals why Keir Starmer's background could make him "our man" and the next Prime Minister
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A new biography reveals Keir Starmer's background, from working class roots to a career in Human Rights Law to leader of the Labour Party, via Brexit and Jeremy Corbyn. Andrew Marr explains how Starmer's life history sets him apart from predecessors including Tony Blair, and how the Labour leader's experiences shape his politics.
Will Keir Starmer replace Rishi Sunak as the next UK Prime Minister? Let us know what you think in the comments.
Read: Keir Starmer's thirst for power, by Andrew Marr www.newstatesman.com/politics...
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Andrew Marr is Political Editor for the New Statesman, and is one of the UK's most senior political journalists. He spent over 20 years at the BBC where he was Political Editor and hosted the wildly successful Andrew Marr show. He is now based in Westminster where he brings his deep experience of political reporting to his analysis of the most important events in UK politics. He also hosts Tonight with Andrew Marr on LBC Radio.
Watch more videos from Andrew Marr in this playlist: • Andrew Marr
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The New Statesman brings you unrivalled analysis of of the latest UK and international politics. On our KZbin channel you’ll find insight on the top news and global current affairs stories, as well as insightful interviews with politicians, advisers and leading political thinkers, to help you understand the political and economic forces shaping the world.
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[@regarded9702]

If I find someone who loves me like Andrew loves Starmer I will be a happy man.

[@mp71001]

He’s definitely besotted 😍

[@celestesmith6060]

Treat em mean keep em keen.

[@tonyf9984]

It's just the contrast with the Tory ghouls ...

[@yuchoob]

And if I find someone called Andrew Starmer who loves me like he loves you, he will be a happy man.

[@davidneverdave]

Just shows the left wing bias of the BBC. All its ex presenters go on to do pro-Labour podcasts/shows.

[@momo8200]

It shouldn't be forgotten that Starmer has as much to thank Boris' incompetence, arrogance, and laziness for Labour's current standing in the polls. People are voting against the Tories rather than for Labour.

[@totalvoid6234]

Apart from the tiny minority of vested interests who realise Starmer is the best hope for a continuation of right wing ideology (Marr being a prime example) noone is voting for Starmer.

[@SlowhandGreg]

​@@totalvoid6234give it a rest are you a Tory political payed blogger your all over this comment board spewing bile

[@callyyeadon2653]

Watch the Labour files

[@mrD66M]

That must be a new type of ballot paper that has a "if you want to kick tories out put a X here" 😂

[@alextettenborn269]

You'd have said the same thing about Corbyn and Miliband though and look how things turned out for them

[@Robert-vw3od]

Jeremy Corbyn was a proper labour politician on housing healthcare, education equality in this country. Whilst there will be things I disagreed with him about immigration drugs on international affairs He was not a statesman but he was 100% correct as a labour leader on this country.

[@andrewwebb4635]

I cling on to Andrew Marr as a tiny beacon of support for Keir Starmer! I desperately hope he is right about Starmer despite the facts of him dropping practically everything hopeful he’s stood for. We need a change of direction and it looks as if Starmer will be the captain but surely all of us now doubt that he and Rachel Reeves have it in them? I simply don’t understand why the Labour Party doesn’t own the housing problem. To me, the lack of secure housing for young people is the single biggest factor against the young entrepreneurs of the future taking the necessary risks to try new things out. We need hundreds of thousands of really cheap council houses. A post-war programme to get everybody properly housed and on their own feet.

[@buzzukfiftythree]

I don't sense that he's not owning the housing problem, but until he becomes PM, nothing can realistically be done. It will not be easy; the coffers are not just empty, the national debt is huge.

[@plebjames]

@@buzzukfiftythree he is not making a case for it now, meaning he will not have the democratic mandate to do anything radical. He needs to tax the very richest and borrow to invest. The analogy of a household budget is often used. Well, households get mortgages to buy (aka invest in) houses all the time

[@salamisfamagusta2918]

The answer to your doubts is that both mayor parties are controlled by the same paymaster and consequently and when is too late the country will have to pay the penalty for these treacherous peoples sick decisions.

[@reveredbrotherpoquelin5678]

@@buzzukfiftythree Appreciate the sarcasm. The coffers are full by the way, with bodies of Palestinian women and children!

[@keithparker1346]

We are talking about the Labour party which under Blair somehow managed to build less council housing than the Tories. Starmer is on record of wanting about 70% of people being home owners...Labour have little interest in increasing the supply of affordable housing aka council housing

[@matthewtrow5698]

The way I sum this up is that Keir Starmer is ruthless in the pursuit of whatever goal he sets his mind to and cares not what people think - very thick skinned. He is an incredible political operator, that's for sure. Managing to turn around the fortunes of the Labour party in 4 years to the point where they look set to win is no small feat. However, it is clear that the Tories are gifting Labour a near certain chance of taking the prize. A majority of the electorate is at the point where anything has to be better than what we have, but there's clearly little love for Starmer as a leader. Does there need to be? Time will tell, but it is certainly refreshing to have a potential PM that isn't involved in the cult of personality, Lord knows we've had enough of that nonsense over the last decade...

[@mrD66M]

"there is clearly little love for Starmer as a leader. Does there need to be?" No. A *competent* leader does not need love - what they need more than anything is the respect from those they lead. Once the last vote goes in, it ceases to be a popularity contest, and then it becomes a matter of clarity of vision, communication, intent and a positive, focused, steadfast energy. Thatcher wasn't loved - she was respected (I refer to her specifically because she is the last person IMO to be a competent leader of the UK, despite being despised by many). A leader who craves the cameras and the public (cough dePfeffel cough) will easily lose focus and get distracted. A leader who is constantly obsessed with projecting strength/confidence will lose sight of the future for small gains in the present.

[@fang_xianfu]

One thing Starmer seems very good at is delegation. A lot of members of his team have made large policy announcements and speeches of their own. Their performances at the despatch box are just as good as Starmer's and sometimes possibly better, without him ever seeming upset about that. He has a solid team around him and they're pulling in the same direction. Since Blair people seem to have thought that being Prime Minister is more about being presidential, but it's not, it's about leading the team. That's what I respect least about the Tories since Boris. Even if you just take their ideology as given, they're so incompetent that they can't even implement that vision without constant bickering in the media and arguing over the agenda. Slagging off the Supreme Court and crapping on the constitution instead of trying to pass laws that actually work. While simultaneously doing less work than ever before. If they had the exact same policies, but they were competently implementing them, they might stand a chance, but even people with conservative views know that this group of imbeciles won't be able to implement them.

[@user-eg4dv1bm2e]

It's always the government's to lose not the opposition's to win.

[@goonerboz6023]

Hes lied on everything he ran on so need to stop him now

[@naziphone7260]

Why would the electorate love him - he will ditch any policy that he thinks might give the Tories an attack line instead of defending and selling policies he believes in.

[@mikeyb4610]

A very coy yet accurate summary of the man who is on track to be the next UK PM….Andrew’s years of experience and expert knowledge of politics has marked this presentation as more of a prediction!…Starmer is what the UK needs to lead and guide it out of its current convoluted state of perpetual demise bought on by Conservative miss management…hopefully we will return to this piece after the next GE to tick all the relevant boxes… Thank you Andrew ..more please

[@tarscase7653]

Agreed!

[@keithparker1346]

Expert knowledge? He's an establishment voice box and generally clueless

[@archvaldor]

"Andrew’s years of experience and expert knowledge of politics has marked this presentation as more of a prediction!" Wow, you are one really annoying human being.

[@thecrimsondragon9744]

Both Conservatives and Labour have lost my trust. Neither will get my vote. Starmer is little more than a weasel.

[@caraynemalham8640]

My father always liked an EXPERT to....an Ex is a HAS BEEN ...and a sPERT is what W⚓️ers do

[@Happinessis_74]

A well considered piece. Thank you! I hope for Britain’s sake that Keir Starmer is the next PM.

[@aclark903]

I hope for Britain’s sake he isn’t.

[@gos4343]

🤦‍♂

[@englishsteve1465]

That word "considered" is what Starmer is. He might not be left enough for me _but_ he is a man who genuinely lived a life, much of it a working class life, before entering politics at 52 and his law career, despite making some decisions I would not have, was very successful. Career politician he is NOT and he _has_ gotten Labour to the edge of power. We must see, but I am hopeful.

[@englishsteve1465]

@@aclark903 Yawn

[@gos4343]

​@@englishsteve1465 The problem is it is Labour in name only. Starmer: Tory donors. Tory PM put him up for his Knighthood. Former Tory Chancellor of the Exchequer endorses him to be PM. Tories crossing the floor ( one openly bigoted). Mandelson openly saying they lied to 550,000 members to get their man Starmer the leadership. Starmer himself pronounced “Labour are the real Conservatives”. A Blairite advisor said Starmer is “Telling Thatcherites it is safe to come home to Labour”.Your reservations about him would be fine if he was in the LDs of the Tory party but he has usurped a Democratic Socialist party for the establishment. Turning the UK into a US duopoly party. Now a *Labour* party is espousing austerity after it is a known failure of a policy. Both Starmer and the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer using the economically illiterate “credit card” line shows us all we should need to know. Even the IMF admitted they got it all wrong with austerity after 2008 crash. I’m afraid your hope is a forlorn one weighed against the empirical evidence against Starmer.

[@alexzarifeh8848]

Kier might know who he is, but do WE know?? What is Labour offering to change? There needs to be some hope, a mandate for change. What would a SK gov prioritise?? It’s all wishy-washy vagueness at present. Obsession about winning is not enough. There has to be a mission we can galvanise around. Continuously underwhelmed with Kier Starmer’s Labour. This election will definitely be a case of the sitting government losing rather than Labour winning it through appeal. 😒 We can & MUST do better than this!!!!

[@SimplySketchyXbox]

Because they have not published their manifesto. PR has been adopted as party policy, as have giving 16/17 year olds the vote (no taxation without representation) Party policy includes better trading relationships with the EU. A focus on healthcare and education. These aren't wishy washy sentiments, they're literally party policies that were voted on by the party.

[@PNETriffid]

@@SimplySketchyXbox 'A focus on healthcare and education', means absolutely nothing.

[@victorblackley8372]

Just a guy who likes chilling out with a beer, watching football with his diverse friendship group and listening to *insert popular group or singer here*. A relatable guy.

[@lesliescottw]

or the guy who turned a blind eye to jimmy savile

[@wesleygold7997]

You've pinned your colours to the post Andrew! By God I hope you are right because we are in perilous times!

[@totalvoid6234]

Only have to ignore every single fact available to believe it too.

[@SlowhandGreg]

The whole of the MSM tries to paint labour as the worst

[@ghostbro2721]

@@totalvoid6234lmao I bet you would have us bring back the lettuce

[@socialgadfly5305]

“Perilous times”, caused by the Tories, and you really have to be an amoeba 🦠 to vote Tory. “The only way is up”, comes to mind.

[@keithparker1346]

He's going to be as right as his claim that the Iraq War would be bloodless

[@AndissKevlar]

I'm excited.. I want someone in office who is now focused on effective leadership moving the country towards a more left of centre position, than the mess we have at the moment...

[@naziphone7260]

Except he isn’t offering that at all unless he is going to u turn on everything if he wins.

[@grayssportsalmanac85]

Starmer is nowhere near left of centre. He's been further right than the Tories on some policies ffs.

[@totalvoid6234]

Ok, but why focus round an ultra far right dictator?

[@Morning404]

Starmer is a liar and a authoritarian.

[@HoneyBAJR]

Kid Starver is also a liar.

[@LuisMartinez-og8bk]

You Andrew, you really moved me with the last words of your video. Thank you.

[@MrBaritone38]

He's not the labour leader for me. He's a "Blow with the wind" Politician who flip flops when to his benefit.

[@markeightfourone8693]

I wish I could get as excited about Starmer as Andrew Marr seems to be . . .

[@stalfithrildi5366]

Did this get reuploaded cos too many people were saying 'he's a knob"

[@Weejie2011]

Ah yes, the Knob Mob.

[@MissRG_THFC]

I have pre-ordered the book. I have been patiently waiting for this election. Can't wait for a change.

[@jeremymanson1781]

My patience wore out a long time ago. Right now I'll clutch at any straw.

[@antonyware9887]

I think we can all see who Starmer is, what’s the mystery ? You’ve been around professional politicians so long you’ve lost your sense of direction

[@josephjones1093]

Very much enjoyed this, thank you Andrew!

[@fang_xianfu]

I'm not sure how many times you can make this same video, Andrew. Starmer has given enough interviews, made enough speeches, written enough policies, that it's obvious what he's about, what he cares about, and what he's delegating to his team. Maybe this will be the last one?

[@gio-oz8gf]

You do know that you're not forced to watch it, don't you?

[@totalvoid6234]

No because if his voicee can suppress democracy by 2% then that's a good job well done.

[@keithparker1346]

Starmer is simply establishment. Marr even goes near to saying there won't be change with Starmers govt

[@eli7742]

As ever, I very much appreciate Andrew Marr's impartiality on all things politics and society. The ending of this video could not have been more thought-provoking and sincere about Britain's need for change, including giving people falling outside the 'mainstream' of what we think a leader should be, how they should speak and what their background ought to look like a chance to lead the way.

[@keithparker1346]

Lol as if this version of Labour are going to change anything for the better

[@lizziemcbizzierobin]

@@keithparker1346 exactly! Labour brought bloodshed after murdering innocent Iraqis. Labour are the New Conservatives.

[@sydnorth5868]

I am someone who occupies the middle ground of politics, but has tended to vote Conservative in the past. That would probably make me a swing(ish) voter. However, there is no way that I would vote Conservative with the current bunch of shysters occupying the front benches. I would however vote for a Labour Party that had Keir Starmer as leader. The UK is broken. Whether you blame that on the Suez crisis, the unions in the 70's, Thatcherism, the GFC of 2007/8, Tory Austerity or Brexit is immaterial. The fact is that the UK is broken. Somebody has to fix it. I've always held a belief that the majority of politicians should probably be excluded from being an MP on the basis that they are doing so either to feather their own nest, or preside over an ideological revolution. However, over the years there has been a number of politicians (from all sides) to whom you could never level that accusation. I believe that Starmer is one of those. Five years as DPP suggests that he wants to make the country a better place (not to mention that he held a high profile 'proper' job before becoming an MP). I have lived overseas (because of the GFC) for 15 years, but under the new rules have re-registered as a voter in the UK in my former safe Conservative constituency so that I can vote Labour. I'm looking forward to retiring back to a UK that has been fixed!

[@JimPea]

Andrew's second video titled "Who is Keir Starmer, really?" in less than six months, and truth be told, I'm still not sure I know who he is - except not the leader of Tories. That seems to be all that matters at this point. I won't be sure who Starmer is until he's started the job, but if you think he can rebuild this country without taking radical progressive action, well, that's what it'll take to get ourselves off the track the Tories have set us on.

[@totalvoid6234]

Just pay fucking attention to who he is, he didn't spring from air two seconds ago he's been around making things worse for people for decades now.

[@SlowhandGreg]

​@@totalvoid6234what worse? Fighting for removal of the death penalty great job I say

[@bwright227]

Watch the video for goodness sake. Or read.

[@TheGreatLeslieBand]

Spot on. Agree with all of this.

[@keithparker1346]

How can this country be rebuilt without taking progressive actions?

[@VeronicaS50]

Wonderful ! Thank you Andrew for showing us WHO Keir Starmer is. Fingers crossed for the Labour Party....we definitely need a change which only Keir can deliver. 😊

[@theoblongoldfish]

Thank you for your analysis, he's not going to set the world on fire but he's clearly principled and has a strong moral center and I agree that he's a good step in the right direction for the UK

[@Morning404]

He's a fraud and authoritarian.

[@keithparker1346]

Principled? Has a moral centre? 😂

[@jeremymanson1781]

There will always be those who would prefer to get on their high horses whilst preserving the purity of their particular dogma and just criticise from the sidelines. Against this, KS sees his current assignment as 'win the next election'. He is known to be totally focused on winning. I have heard he is a bit like a football manager. If a player is not performing he will bench them without a second thought. If the current formation isn't doing it then he will change it. He loathes being powerless in opposition, as there is so much real work to be done which only a government can do.

[@keithparker1346]

@@jeremymanson1781 so tell me what changes will Labour make?

[@jeremymanson1781]

@@keithparker1346 If I knew that I would place a bet. My pure guess is Labour want to prevent the Tories undoing everything. They have published an 83 page discussion paper on devolving power away from Westminster to the Nations and Regions. It includes replacing the HoL with an elected second chamber. The problem is that Labour will have 100 days to convince the public they can make things better. That will involve sorting the NHS, Social Care, the justice system, the delapidated schools, the polluted rivers and beaches, the overflowing prisons, the poor infrastructure and housing stock, the lack of affordable homes, establishing the UK Wealth Fund and GB Energy, reforming employment law etc etc... so there is fat chance of fitting in constitutional reform!

[@kylewhittle6565]

Andrew has done more to humanise Kier than anyone else. I respect the fact that Kier (unlike most politicians) came from a truly working class background. You may not like him, but the experience of poverty gives you grounding in life unlike Jacob Rees Mogg!

[@lizziemcbizzierobin]

Erm why do you admire this about Starter?? He does nothing for working class people. He works for himself (and Israel too). Starmer is nothing but an ambitious narcissist.

[@patcampton7163]

It's not that working class though. Frankly I don't care. Sorry about his Mum though. I don't care about people's background, I care about what they stand for as adults. Still nice to see a fan club for him .

[@tonyboss5026]

Andrew! Thank you for this video! I had my doubts about Starmer, but this summarised deep delve into his origin, shows me he has come from a place that a significant percentage of British citizens and residents come from! So, he knows what it means to be broke, hungry, hard working, and struggling to make ends meet for your family! Oh, and being looked down on!

[@Dragonsitter]

Looking forward to the book. It’s ordered! I am from similar roots made it out of mining community via grammar school scholarship. Have been a teacher of children and teachers, and I want everyone to break the class ceiling! I will trust him to do us proud HIS way, not by flashy gimmicks but by careful, assiduous planning. Governing is not sensational hype it’s careful thought and steady nerve. I want nationalisation et al but it’s not in reach just now. Build for all our futures. I’m 78+ and I have faith for my grandsons

[@willrelf1377]

Younger people don’t see a positive future though. We need radical change now, something Starmer will not deliver.

[@SlowhandGreg]

​@@willrelf1377you can only deliver radical if you have the people behind you. My now dead parents voted for Atlee after the war then slowly switched to Con, the dysfunction during the 60s 70s left a lot of scars as did the Thatcher years on me

[@Dragonsitter]

@@willrelf1377 that’s not surprising after 14 negative years. But I believe the Labour Party will start to turn the corner and work towards a more positive outcome. The Democrats in US have already done that turn. It can be done 😘

[@Dragonsitter]

@@SlowhandGreg I lived though that Welfare State birth. With vision like that, we can do better. Lol we can’t do worse than the last 14 miserable years! I watched Starmer talk about the folks who brought about change before and I believe he has the steel to emulate that. 😘

[@SlowhandGreg]

@Dragonsitter Marr gives me hope, the politicking to get here is painful, if you look into Starmer in detail he appears principled yet very pragmatic but utterly ruthless A story I heard the other day was that Sue Gray has banned WhatsApp and confiscated phones at shadow cabinet meetings and is being used as a sounding block as to how policy could be implemented successfully

[@andrewhague1521]

Starmer may not have charisma, but he does have personality. Charisma you can learn, it's a performance art. Personality is the truth of who a person really is. Give me personalty over charisma any day.

[@VinceLammas]

Boris Johnson’s “adopted persona” is deliberately designed to hide his true character and personality behind a smokescreen of apparent charisma.

[@joebowden4065]

Yeah ok

[@surfcitiz]

Forgive me if I am a little bit sceptical after seeing so much incompetence, dishonesty and lack of integrity in the people who have governed this country continuously for 14 years. Fingers crossed, Starmer and his team will become angels of change.

[@stankarpenko]

Thank you

[@chrismeese3666]

Thank you for your resume of Kia ‘s life story. I am finding it so difficult to choose a candidate to vote for in the next General election. I like millions are so busy living we don’t have time to read and study all that is required to learn. I am so grateful to KZbin and a group of guys that do all the research and reading then give me hopefully honesty edited summaries. One of this I trust is you. I don’t always agree with you, however the info you gave in this report will help me make a better decision. The United Kingdom deserves a stabilising factor which should not be based on popularisation. The kind of leader we need to be a hybrid politician who hopefully will balance out the wealth between the poorest and the richest without alienating industry, yet right the wrongs the past leaders have made. The work is going to be hard and not everyone will be happy and on top of that balancing the books will be so difficult as now since Brexit Unfortunately, to me Britain looks like the poor neighbour neighbourhood of Europe. Once again thanks

[@archvaldor]

"I like millions are so busy living we don’t have time to read and study all that is required to learn." If you can't be bothered you shouldn't vote. You are precisely what is wrong with this country. Pathetic.

[@johnwright9372]

Too many people are misinformed by the media who reduce elections to a beauty contest.

[@myzigc3036]

PR for Starmer,very generous of you Andrew! Too generous in my opinion. This is not a man of change which is what this country desperately needs. He is ‘more of the same Man’ which is exactly to the letter what we don’t need!

[@jeremymanson1781]

Yes, all the outward signs point that way. However KS has said that Labour HAVE to be more radical than New Labour ever were and that it will need two terms to even begin to turn things around. I think KS is painfully aware that, unless Labour make some major changes to the way the UK is governed, the Tories, once back in power, will simply trash everything Labour has succeeded in improving.

[@sunnysjwinter]

Ultimately, we know who Keir is by who he isn’t. I don’t think we will truly understand what he stands for until he wins the election. And to be honest, with the dire state of this country, I’m actually alright with that. At least Starmer is a principled man with working class roots. He’s not going to be one who is an agent for the banks and billionaires. We need change, and we need Starmer to be that change otherwise this country is done.

[@riccardo-964]

Oh, the sheer looming risks of complacency.

[@oscarmoxon102]

Really great deep dive, love this introduction.

[@Kergrist]

Our man👏, thank you Andrew.

[@JRattheranch]

Whatever is pontificated by the media.... I understand what Kier says and does, even if wrong! I cannot identify with a single senior Tory!

[@headgirlblues]

We are in serious trouble when we believe in a man who has reversed every promise and policy he expounded to get where he is. Who can reverse a loudly-expounded position on a dime. Who repeats economic fiction, presumably paving the way for yet more years of damaging austerity. One who calls the leader of another nation prior to a vote in our Parliament. Then there's the TriLateral Commission. Who is he, indeed - and in whose interests is he working so assiduously, because it is not mine, nor anyone I know. Which State are you referring to? I get that we're desperate, and the choices are slim, but ultimately, we get the politics we deserve. Especially when we keep voting for those whose principles are so slippery.

[@sarahjaneross2918]

A Starmer party is terrifying to me... 😢

[@Noellegable]

And kier isn’t slippery?

[@totalvoid6234]

But he's anti democracy and that's all that's needed for the bought media to support him.

[@johnkearns7503]

These last two years the tide has been turning, and hope’s fresh and rosy fingers rise like dawn upon the morning. Labour are right not to celebrate too early but there is finally a tangible party to oppose the charlatans we’ve suffered so long. I’m 36 this year, and so many elections, votes and directions this country has taken during my life have been antithetical to how I believe we should treat each other and make progress in the world.

[@totalvoid6234]

Nex tis going to be, by far, the worst for you.

[@jonsmith5058]

Tangible party…? Starmer purged any left thinking. Labour now are basically Camerons conservatives they are so right. They arent an alternative, its more of the same.

[@Boghopper1979]

Welcome to first past the post; a form of democracy that virtually ensured minority rule

[@FTFLCY]

Much as I'd relish the moment if the Tories are reduced to double digits, a Starmer government with a 300 majority would not be a good one. FPTP goes into warp factor with figures like YouGov's. Hubris would take over in no time.

[@neilmckie2768]

I think he's decent, honest and quite 'middle of the road' - something we haven't had in a very long time. I hope to hell he gets the chance to demonstrate this, despite the haranguing of the Tory press.

[@allenarmstrong7435]

Decent does nor spring to time in his cynical handling of the Gaza issue. Quite the reverse. When individual such as Prince William and, arguably David Cameron in one instance demonstrate more humanity then when are Labours value-based politics. He has lost ‘the benefit of the doubt’.

[@neilmckie2768]

@@allenarmstrong7435 I'm not a Labour supporter, I'm just a typical floating voter who isn't really driven by any deep rooted ideals with regard to the Middle East - much like the majority of voters in the UK, so to go hard core on that issue would be a surefire way to lose the next election. I can already hear the cries from the RW press of 'anti Semitic Starmer', etc., etc. There's a fine line to be drawn with getting the current crop of grifters out of government and riding around on a white charger, championing every cause that's currently in vogue.

[@tarscase7653]

Fantastic as always and quite uplifting. And ultimately, as much as people may be indifferent to him, how you can not vote Labour and reward this pitiful Tory govt with more power is beyond sanity!

[@captaintorch983]

Not as insane as believing that Labour will do better! When did they ever? Not during my 74 years that is for sure.

[@naziphone7260]

Because of his stance on Gaza. Because he has kicked out the left of the party for spurious reasons. Because he made pledges he had no intention of keeping. Because his only offer to the electorate is not Tory. Gonna vote Green or sit it out - if Tories get in again it’s Starmer’s fault

[@totalvoid6234]

Vote Labour. Exactly and ONLY when the billionaire class thinks it's in their interest.

[@1pauljs]

Prime ministerial is quite a term . If the likes of Cameron, May, Johnson, Truss and Sunak can be described as such there is a pretty low bar to qualify as such.

[@totalvoid6234]

And yet he limboed right under it.

[@sydnorth5868]

There's a difference between being Prime Minister and being prime ministerial. At least three of those you name could never be described as prime ministerial.

[@SlowhandGreg]

​@@totalvoid6234what's your problem?

[@1pauljs]

@@sydnorth5868 which 2 could then 😐🥸

[@sydnorth5868]

@@1pauljs You may not agree with their politics, but Cameron and May did at least pay due respect to the position that they held. Even Ian Blackford acknowledged this when he once followed May in a debate about Johnson's shenanigans.

[@sharifsazal]

On the Corbyn question, why do centrists and rightists get horrified when anybody has any association with Jeremy Corbyn?

[@Weejie2011]

There are a few on the left who are disappointed with him too. He was very clumsy in practice and easily outmanoeuvred.

[@Titus9508]

Likely an end to Lobbying.

[@belindamay8063]

@sharifsazal. Corbyn disappointed me. He just relied on tribal support. He coasted it.

[@patcampton7163]

Fear. He scared the bejebus out of their cosy little lives.

[@patcampton7163]

​@belindamay8063 really? The rallies and speeches he made all over the country were 'coasting'. I have never seen such diverse and enthusiastic rallies in my lifetime and I've been following Labour for 60 years. They were not tribal at all, they were diverse in age, background and ethnicity.

[@simonperrins5175]

I really enjoy Andrew’s analysis, it always hits the spot!

[@Joe-zu7lx]

These videos are your best political content on KZbin thank you

[@CartoonrBOY]

Do please remember the UK press is more conservative than ever - over the years Mr Starmer has been bullied by them, but given his history within the law & his humble background, I can't think of anyone I'd rather vote for.

[@firefalcon124epic]

To rebuild our country, you need a plan to do it. So far, Starmer has demonstrated no such plan.

[@geoffreynhill2833]

Anyone who takes Sun editorials seriously needs their head examined. Starmer has qualities their scribblers couldn't possibly understand. 🤔 (Green Fire UK) 🌈🦉

[@petermcfarlane2294]

He's been , GOT AT ! HE IS THE SAME , AS THE TORIES...

[@TC8787-yq7og]

Great question, Andrew - duplicitous is the word.

[@vincilo8835]

Actually think he's gonna make a good PM. Tony Blair described Labour voters base can essentially be divided into two groups: those who come from a more working-class background and would traditionally vote about, and those who were born more well off but interacted with socialism later on and agreed with the labour ideology. Both with their own downside though, with the first half often contained in the idealogic limitation, while the second didn't really experience the life of grassroots people. Keir has been both. He would be able to get over both limitations and be a great PM who understands what people really need while being able to work flexibly.

[@keithparker1346]

Socialism and Blair 😂

[@SimplySketchyXbox]

I was born middle class, have been lucky in my position and I would never vote tory. I even went to private school!

[@gordonsmith7885]

I have been a Labour Party supporter and voter all my life..this guy is a brilliant operator..a working guy who absolutely understands the working class..he understands the elites too and rejects their warped values..I think he might be the modern Atlee

[@grayssportsalmanac85]

That's fucking hilarious 😂

[@gordonsmith7885]

@@grayssportsalmanac85 watch this space..we need to win first

[@boxtradums0073]

What are you talking about. What he done in the commons two days ago was pure corruption as bad as anything the Tories have done.

[@Charles61284]

Lol, he’s a Tory bought and payed for

[@grayssportsalmanac85]

Pretty sure Atlee didn't lie to the Labour membership to get elected. ..Atlee wouldn't have wanted private health involved in the NHS either.

[@gnjp8340]

Starmer is clearly highly principled person , his background says it all but he is operating in a highly divided political environment with right and left ideologists trying to discredit him.. on Brexit he is clearly trying to sail very carefully to getting UK back into at least the single market - he is not stupid he is not going to go out and out for EU membership nor accept Brexit as it is . Andrew seems to some him up very well at end …in my opinion A Man of Common Sense for Crazy times -

[@patcampton7163]

Highly principled people don't lie. He was working against Corbyn all the time. He hates the left. I won't be buying this tome. Yes we need a Labour government desperately, but we won't be getting that with Starmer. This is not a Labour party. I'm glad he knows who he is . We also know who he is. He is a hyper Liberal, he is not going to take on capitalism. Starmer will use the power of the start and he will use it against us.

[@plebjames]

Andrew, I've got some magic beans to sell you. Starmer's one guiding principle is ambition and he will say and do LITERALLY anything he thinks will help his career. There is not an iota of anything to him other than that. He will be woefully out of his depth as PM and will cave time and time again as he is buffeted and put under all sorts of pressure with no political beliefs to guide him

[@waynemorris8388]

We need change and hopefully the labour government will give us change. I'm 59 year old man and have never been so poor finding it hard to pay my why in life It's not right that the richer get richer and the poorer get poorer

[@captaintorch983]

Get used to it. If Labour gets in, all of our money will fund increased immigration, pandering to the Trades Unions, LGBTQ and gender madness. Oh and increased taxation, to repay massive loans. On these matters Marr has had little to say!

[@2000bhoy]

Tories gonna Tory.

[@totalvoid6234]

@@2000bhoy Labour right gonna tory and dismantle democracy.

[@sylviafennah2263]

Fingers crossed. We don’t get Lack Luster Starmer.

[@Simon-xc6iy]

My word Andrew he is a wrongen. Dont take my word for it, sit back and report on the nightmare thats waiting for the UK. He will pave the way for the extreme right.

[@kenmay1572]

He may not have charisma but he has a good legal brain. Give me a brain for a PM over the likes of charlatans like Johnson and Cameron every time. Another plus is that he didn't attend Eton, a breeding ground for the entitled born to high political office.

[@LuffyDaGoat]

Good legal brain huh. It’s a shame has a human rights lawyer he failed to recognise that Israel withholding water and electricity to the Gazans breaks human rights laws

[@khar12d8]

Isn't Starmer being a liar/ opportunist/ charlatan right at the top of his charge sheet? You clearly don't read Owen Jones 😅😅

[@rw31415]

Absolutely. I can't understand all this obsessing over an individual. Are we bothered about what sort of person one's brain surgeon is ? One's pilot ? Starmer gets it from both sides - idiots like McDonnell & all the government-leaning press.

[@catherinemartin6258]

👊✊

[@peterclarke7240]

Starmer basically understands the assignment: His job is to get Labour to win. He knows that preaching to the choir doesn't work, because Left-wing Labour voters are heavily concentrated in cities and tend not to vote, despite it being in their best interests (although this is often down to confusion over WHERE students are allowed to vote), verss the Tories, who's voters are spread out all over the shires and tend to vote. He also saw that Corbyn essentially SCARED tory voters, particularly the light-blue, small c voters, into voting against the Lib Dems and Labour. His job, essentially, is to walk into the stables without scaring the horses. And so far, he's doing a very good job. I don't agree with the positions he's been forced to take, but equally i accept that his job is NOT to appeal to Labour voters on an ideological level, but on a "do we want to get the Tories out before they do any more damage?" level. He's also got some serious heavy-weights in his cabinet, unlike Sunak, Johmson, Truss, or even May, so he must be doing SOMETHING right.

[@keithparker1346]

Lol that New Statesmen is obviously deleting some messages that are critical of Starmer

[@louiswall2984]

Thank you that you believe in him l am in Philippines just now hoping to bring my wife back to UK for a much better life.

[@totalvoid6234]

Stay in the philippines for your own sake.

[@thepoliticalitalian8615]

How dare you speak the truth bad . You know better and that this is forbidden. 😂​@@totalvoid6234

[@gordonaliasme1104]

We have many Philippino in the UK! Please come!

[@gordonaliasme1104]

​@@totalvoid6234 Don't be so negative!

[@johnestok277]

Question-if Keri Starmer was a trial lawyer, that is argued cases in a court, why does he always have to read from scripts? I would think he’d have much better public speaking skills

[@gavinmoran6880]

I would suggest because he is a middle man doing what he is told by others. It's easy to remember your own views and values but we need scripts when speaking on behalf of others.

[@nigelhardy7218]

All political leaders read from scripts written for them by their team, except of course Bojo de Pfeffel pepper pig who writes his own incoherent sh** and forgets (or pretends to). Some are just better than others at reading from the script.

[@BringSomeNoise]

A lot of his work was in front of appeals courts where you have to convince a judge that you have the correct legal argument, not win over a jury with an emotional narrative.

[@californiadreamin8423]

@@gavinmoran6880. Garbage. With a rabid Tory media baying for blood, prepared to do anything to preserve the Tory party, I’m fully in favour of scripted statements .

[@andrewhague1521]

As a trial lawyer he is speaking on behalf of others. But those speeches are one-off, typically at the end of a big case. Starmer has too many speeches to make to learn them all. You are being ridiculous.

[@kerrynewnham8946]

I am of the left I’m also a green I also believe in honesty in politics and since Keir Starmer basically told the left to piss off, whilst smearing them wantonly purging the MPs I have no intention of ever voting for K Starmer or this version of the labour party ever again. The only thing that will persuade me to do so I would be an offer of PR, so that we can get rid of this utterly broken shoddy electoral system whereby either party can basically say you’ve got to vote for us or get “him” and we deserve better than this and we have a much more radical / green minded country than the voting system allows reflection of

[@czarkusa2018]

Recent events show Corbyn was right about Israel anyway.

[@aclark903]

I think the best we can hope for is Kier being a one term PM. If he is in for as long as Tony we are doomed. Then again he hasn’t won yet.

[@aclark903]

@@stephjsinclair They had a vote a while back: it failed to pass. The party that wins always has a vested interest in keeping the status quo.

[@keithparker1346]

​@@stephjsinclairbut funnily PR is not going to be offered by Labour.why should they as they've benefitted from fptp as much as the Tories

[@keithparker1346]

That simply proves that Labour are not listening to their members​@@stephjsinclair

[@lordofbats3601]

Nice one Andy, any chance of getting your BBC Sunday programme back? Kuenssberg is a bit out of her depth

[@grahamnewton4381]

The word chameleon springs to mind

[@darrensmith6999]

Here's hoping !!

[@GJAllKnowing]

Kier Starmer, a hollow man without a spine

[@1kaybuckley]

Brilliant. I’m convinced.

[@somecuriosities]

The sarcasm is strong with this one ...

[@danielkenealy7503]

You hang around political journalism long enough and I guess you can just sit and pontificate in a very vacuous way with nice photos running over your monologue. Beautifully done.

[@Dayrile123]

Marr is consistently very much on the money with his analyses.

[@awol2602]

It's an indictment of the political culture that KS has had to hollow out any principles he might have had. Andrew Marr would undoubtedly make a far better PM himself.

[@michaeldad]

Thank you for introducing New future Prime Minister Sir.

[@hyperbiped9913]

My mother kissed me on the cheek for the first time at the age of 14 and said, l believe that other parents do this 😂

[@jaseayathorai3762]

An great objective analysis.

[@stephenpettett3472]

Good analysis. Looks very much like Labour will form the next government so we will indeed begin to see what kind of PM Keir Starmer makes. He seems a pragmatist who values competency over personality and rhetoric, which would be welcome. However, his electoral success in the coming election will be as much due to the Tories´ impopularity as it is enthusiasm for Labour,. In which case, with an eye on the following election, the pressure will really be on to deliver in the next parliament if they want to win a second term. Not easy when the public finances are in a mess and when confidence in our politicians is so low. But he may only have one shot.

[@khar12d8]

I don't think Keir Starmer is very impressive but I don't think that matters very much. I think change governments happen when the time is right. Thatcher didn't change the weather. The weather was already changing throughout the 70s. Thatcher was the beneficiary of the new climate. Even without Thatcher Labour would have lost throughout the 80s and another, less emotive Tory, would have enacted similar policies. Many Tory policies in the 80s didn't come from Thatcher. They were coming from a range of places and picked up by Thatcher. The same after 1945. Social democracy had been developing in the interwar years. The Beveridge Report. Beveridge was a Liberal. Even without Attlee a new post war settlement was coming. I think Labour have the space after the next election to be more radical on housing. To enact a more state led industrial strategy etc... Starmer or no Starmer. If anything, Reeves will be the more powerful in terms of enacting certain changes. Nothing happens without the Treasury.

[@khar12d8]

@@eightiesmusic1984 The govt does absolutely loads for people already. The NHS is more extensive in terms of what it provides people than ever before. Spending on the NHS as a percentage of GDP is at a record high, far higher than under Labour or the Tories in the 40s/50s. The problem isn't that we don't have enough govt, it's that so much of it is taken up by old people. This is a consequence of our ageing society. You need to reform the system so, frankly, pensioners get less. Abolish the triple lock. Raise the state pension age. Of course, very politically difficult. Then more govt services could go to working age people. Housing I would argue doesn't require a lot of extra money. In fact, we need liberalisation in that we need planning restrictions liberalised. But on top of that I would support more legal power to councils to actually build houses, to buy up land at cheaper prices etc... But I don't think it's as simple as just expanding the role of the state across the board. We've got a situation in which working age people are paying more tax to fund pensioners, not only is this ethically questionable it's bad for the economy. We need to create a tax system that encourages empty nesters to sell their big homes and downsize, freeing up property for growing younger families etc... The bias in the system towards old people is one of the great problems. Labour, if they win, may have a voter coalition that skews younger maybe giving them opportunity to deal with some of this bias.

[@totalvoid6234]

That time being when Murdoch realises a change in governnment will have the least possible impact on policy.

[@allenarmstrong7435]

Good analysis.. but since a shift of power Is coming, it’s strange that Labour have remained so vacuous and vacillating in what they would do ( and especially what they ARE doing - their utterly disgraceful stance on Gaza). The context means they could remain moderate and harmless but try and outline and adhere to some progressive core values.

[@kerrynewnham8946]

He’s not been in politics long enough for us to say. Hes not tried and tasted. More importantly, He’s not stayed consistent at all over that time either, so he’s either been evolving or he’s highly manipulative and blows whatever way is advantageous to hi.

[@belindamay8063]

kerrynewnham. It’s not wrong to try and keep in line with what the people are really thinking. Is that inconsistent? He’s an outstanding lawyer. He could have made a fortune at the Bar. But he chose public service. Dull ? Yes, compared to the rampant egoists we’ve got used to. He’s a quiet man. What’s wrong with that ?

[@kerrynewnham8946]

@@belindamay8063 we have no idea what he is, and deserve to know. Contrast him with ken Clark when he ran for leadership, open about beliefs, tried and tested in cabinet positions Love or hate. Keir Starmer has machiavellian all over him. We will all find out when he’s elected and suddenly the mystique will be replaced by policies, no doubt nothing related to what he was elected leader of The Labour Party on, and then all those who hope he will be “their man” half will Be, disappointed.

[@keithparker1346]

Imo Starmer and his fanboys are win at any cost types. God help us

[@cazzi1929]

I've disagreed with most of Marr's other stuff about Starmer, but I must concede that I think you're onto something in suggesting that Starmer will be one of the first indications of a reformed (post-covid) statist social technocracy, reminiscent of the 1960s - but a little less optimistic.

[@simonwhiting6929]

If Marr hasn’t worked out that Starmer is a careerist who will, and has, said anything to gain power then he never will. To summarise, fear not people the establishments wealth and power is in safe hands.

[@EMidMSO]

Andrew, you're not the only one who can smell Starmer

[@opinion8ted]

The Tories have broken our country, They are arrogant enough to think we don’t realise what they are doing, The country needs someone with the courage and skills to reinstate our lives, economy and global reputation. I believe that the life experiences of Kier Starmer has resulted in a man who can deliver the stability the nation deserves. Cast your vote to ensure the Tories are left with the minimal number of seats and give Labour a chance to deliver.

[@pauldonnelly3501]

Am and I always have been a Labour supporter, but who am I mean to vote for surely not this man every thing he has said in the past he has changed his policy's on

[@ianmaclean2214]

He’s a long standing member of the trilateral commission. Nough said!

[@salamisfamagusta2918]

The first part of your description of Starmer is exactly what this hypocrite is, just add one more part of his character evil.

[@davidpaull7612]

You don't have to kowtow to the system because you understand it. You can understand it and want to change it, that's a true Labour position. A progressive position.

[@dotdashdotdash]

Nice fluff piece. Will you ask him what his favourite ice cream flavour is?

[@brucemateer2630]

I reflect on the state the uk is in and the state Australia was in with a right wing leaning agenda and government and see great similarities. I think the public are growing weary of this constant fighting and want to have a change toward the centre of politics. I hope Keir Starmer is the man to bring Britain back to a good hearted country.

[@boxtradums0073]

He’s just a red hard brexit supporting English nationalist

[@totalvoid6234]

An ultra far right authoritarian bringing us to the centre? Somehow I think that reality will not work this way because it literally can't.

[@alanconway94]

I suppose it depends who you ask. Many people, for all his achievements, have a very low opinion of him. Why would that be? What has he done to be judged so? Given that he's not entirely evil.

[@VinceLammas]

He is judged as wanting when compared against the unicorn leadership they hold in their imagination.

[@willhovell9019]

New biography, reviewed by Andrew Rawnsley is an interesting insight into Keir Starmer. Looking foward to see him leading the country

[@ParcBlondel]

Is that the fact that Starrmer (according to the book), set up his "Starmer for Leader Campaign at a time when there could have been a full 3 years before an election? You'll be telling me next he was a loyal LP servant.

[@moonrockrecords]

ok so around 12.05 we get the thrust of Marr's argument. That only this particular blend of duplicity is / would be capable of beating the Tories. On this point, there's no real argument given except for the fact that this is how things happened to have played out (and it hasn't even played out yet).

[@lizziemcbizzierobin]

To summarise the video: Starmer has become more and more Conservative and fascist as he grew up. That's it. That's the story.

[@stuartcakebread9321]

He’ll get the job. He’s the man we need

[@rollosinternet1853]

Even with a second referendum done properly with qualified majority as it should have been to be binding, it is not up to the UK to join the EU. All major parties have to show that they follow EU's values, not just as trade partners. That will take decades and a generational change with it. At this point, the only thing the UK can do is to align with the EU to limit the damage of Brexit as much as possible. But there is and will be a lot of damage for most people.

[@martincheeseman5809]

Come on kier we are all waiting for you!

[@bramharms72]

From the outside looking in (Dutchman here) I see him practice the art of the possible. Not in a cynical way but more in a technocratic way: What can I promise and deliver? What can I spend? etc. He's campaigning "within his means", unlike all the supremely confident public school boys who are detached from the idea of consequences that you Brits are used to. Unfortunately he's also a bit to careful, he's trying to minimize his exposure to criticism from the right which he should really lean in to. But I see this coming from recognizing the gravity of the moment, that tory government has turned into pure evil, in outcomes if not intent.

[@Da1Dez]

Bridge Keeper: STOP! What is your name? KS: It's Keir Starmer MP of Holburn and St Pancras... Bridge Keeper: What is your quest? KS: I seek to become Prime Minister of Great Britain. Bridge Keeper: WHAT IS A WOMAN!? KS: Umm..... well.... I.... *waaahhh!*

[@willrelf1377]

Cringe client journalism.

[@keithparker1346]

Marr is so far up Starmers backside

[@AB-zl4nh]

Partially agree to disagree. I see very little evidence from experts that abolition of tuition fees & public ownership of water is why Labour lost most voters. They disliked and distrusted the JC leadership, which is not the same thing as disliking Soft Left/Centre Left policies.

[@mj_marques1517]

Thank you Mr. Marr. As always, amazing analysis.

[@gavinmoran6880]

This is an infomercial, not journalism.

[@Linda-iy3qh]

I could listen to Andrew Marr forever. A brilliant mind and an articulate, discerning political journalist. This was a really fascinating and revealing take on Keir Starmer. Excellent! Really thought provoking and informative! Thank you