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Keir Starmer: Lawyer with sights on power after leading Labour revival

Opposition leader fighting Rishi Sunak for power at July UK election with promise of 'national renewal'

Tim Stickings
Tim Stickings

May 23, 2024

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After dragging Britain’s Labour Party out of the doldrums, Keir Starmer says he can lead a similar "national renewal" if voters make him the next UK prime minister.

Mr Starmer, 61, hopes an image of grown-up competence will convince the public to choose Labour at July's UK election despite a feeling he lacks charisma or eye-catching policies.

A former lawyer and chief prosecutor for England and Wales, Mr Starmer says “service of our country” is his only motive to challenge Rishi Sunak for No 10 Downing Street.

His willingness to pose with a Union Jack, talk tough on defence and offer safety-first policies can rile up those in his party who miss his hard-left predecessor Jeremy Corbyn.

But after Mr Corbyn led Labour to its worst defeat since 1935, Mr Starmer makes no apologies for, as he puts it, having “returned Labour to the service of working people”.

If he wins a majority on July 4 he would become only the fourth Labour leader after Clement Attlee in 1945, Harold Wilson in 1964 and Tony Blair in 1997 to do so from opposition.

Keir Starmer through the years - in pictures

Keir Starmer has been the Labour party's leader since 2020, and is now the UK's prime minister. Here The National looks back through his political career. Getty Images
Keir Starmer has been the Labour party's leader since 2020, and is now the UK's prime minister. Here The National looks back through his political career. Getty Images
Mr Starmer speaking in Westminster, London, in May after Rishi Sunak announced the general election for July 4. AP
Mr Starmer speaking in Westminster, London, in May after Rishi Sunak announced the general election for July 4. AP
Mr Starmer speaks to Labour supporters at Harlow Town Football Club's stadium in Essex, on the eve of local elections in May. Getty Images
Mr Starmer speaks to Labour supporters at Harlow Town Football Club's stadium in Essex, on the eve of local elections in May. Getty Images
Mr Starmer talks to Dan Poulter at the Francis Crick Institute in London in April, after the MP had defected from the Conservative Party to Labour. Getty Images
Mr Starmer talks to Dan Poulter at the Francis Crick Institute in London in April, after the MP had defected from the Conservative Party to Labour. Getty Images
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Mr Starmer during the launch of Mr Khan's mayoral re-election campaign in March, which proved successful. Getty Images
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Mr Starmer during the launch of Mr Khan's mayoral re-election campaign in March, which proved successful. Getty Images
Mr Starmer addresses the Labour Business Conference in London in February. Getty Images
Mr Starmer addresses the Labour Business Conference in London in February. Getty Images
Mr Starmer and Mr Sunak at the Palace of Westminster for the State Opening of Parliament in November 2023. Getty Images
Mr Starmer and Mr Sunak at the Palace of Westminster for the State Opening of Parliament in November 2023. Getty Images
Mr Starmer addresses delegates at the National Annual Women's Conference in Liverpool in October 2023. Getty Images
Mr Starmer addresses delegates at the National Annual Women's Conference in Liverpool in October 2023. Getty Images
Mr Starmer with his shadow cabinet in London in September 2023. Getty Images
Mr Starmer with his shadow cabinet in London in September 2023. Getty Images
Mr Starmer speaks to supporters in Chatham after a Labour win in local elections in May 2023. Getty Images
Mr Starmer speaks to supporters in Chatham after a Labour win in local elections in May 2023. Getty Images
Joining party activists at a national phone bank on local elections day in London in May 2023. Getty Images
Joining party activists at a national phone bank on local elections day in London in May 2023. Getty Images
Mr Starmer meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Speaker's House in the Palace of Westminster, London, in February 2023. Getty Images
Mr Starmer meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Speaker's House in the Palace of Westminster, London, in February 2023. Getty Images
The Labour leader and his wife Victoria leave the stage after his speech at the party conference in Liverpool in September 2022. Getty Images
The Labour leader and his wife Victoria leave the stage after his speech at the party conference in Liverpool in September 2022. Getty Images
Mr Starmer and then-UK prime minister Liz Truss leave the Palace of Westminster in September 2022. Getty Images
Mr Starmer and then-UK prime minister Liz Truss leave the Palace of Westminster in September 2022. Getty Images
With former Labour prime ministers Tony Blair, centre, and Gordon Brown, right, at St James's Palace, London, where King Charles III was formally proclaimed monarch in September 2022. Getty Images
With former Labour prime ministers Tony Blair, centre, and Gordon Brown, right, at St James's Palace, London, where King Charles III was formally proclaimed monarch in September 2022. Getty Images
Mr Starmer and then-prime minister Boris Johnson attend the State Opening of Parliament in May 2022. Getty Images
Mr Starmer and then-prime minister Boris Johnson attend the State Opening of Parliament in May 2022. Getty Images
Mr Starmer makes his keynote speech to the Labour conference for the first time as party leader in September 2021 in Brighton. Getty Images
Mr Starmer makes his keynote speech to the Labour conference for the first time as party leader in September 2021 in Brighton. Getty Images
The gloves are on during a visit to the Vulcan Boxing Club in Hull, East Yorkshire, in April 2021. Getty Images
The gloves are on during a visit to the Vulcan Boxing Club in Hull, East Yorkshire, in April 2021. Getty Images
Mr Starmer in talks with care home workers and family members of residents at Cafe 1899 in Gedling Country Park during the Covid-19 pandemic in July 2020. Getty Images
Mr Starmer in talks with care home workers and family members of residents at Cafe 1899 in Gedling Country Park during the Covid-19 pandemic in July 2020. Getty Images
Mr Starmer, then-shadow secretary of state for exiting the EU, addresses the audience at a hustings in March 2020 in Dudley. Getty Images
Mr Starmer, then-shadow secretary of state for exiting the EU, addresses the audience at a hustings in March 2020 in Dudley. Getty Images
Mr Starmer and then-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn talk to the media at the EU Commission headquarters in March 2019 in Brussels. Getty Images
Mr Starmer and then-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn talk to the media at the EU Commission headquarters in March 2019 in Brussels. Getty Images
Mr Starmer delivers a speech on Labour's Brexit policy at the Institute of Civil Engineers in London in April 2017. Getty Images
Mr Starmer delivers a speech on Labour's Brexit policy at the Institute of Civil Engineers in London in April 2017. Getty Images
Holding a press conference as Director of Public Prosecutions to outline new guidelines on assisted suicide, in London in September 2009. Getty Images
Holding a press conference as Director of Public Prosecutions to outline new guidelines on assisted suicide, in London in September 2009. Getty Images
Human rights advisers Mr Starmer and Jane Gordon with the Northern Ireland Policing Board annual human rights report 2006, at the Dunadry Hotel in Co Antrim. Getty Images
Human rights advisers Mr Starmer and Jane Gordon with the Northern Ireland Policing Board annual human rights report 2006, at the Dunadry Hotel in Co Antrim. Getty Images

Named after Keir Hardie, one of Labour’s founding fathers, Mr Starmer likes to say he “grew up working class” with a toolmaker as a father and nurse as a mother.

He studied law at the University of Leeds, but like more than half of Britain’s prime ministers he also has an Oxford background after taking postgraduate legal training there.

From his barrister days he likes to talk about battling corporate giants such as McDonald’s – while saying he was merely doing a lawyer’s duty when he represented extremists such as now-banned group Hizb ut-Tahrir.

When talking tough on crime he invariably mentions a violent criminal or terrorist he put away during his tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions from 2008 to 2013, for which he was knighted.

In 2013 he apologised for the state’s failure to bring paedophile TV star Jimmy Savile to justice, although he was not personally involved and there was outrage when senior Tories used Savile as a slur against him.

Rise in politics

Mr Starmer entered politics at the 2015 election as a Labour MP in north London, where he lives. An Arsenal football fan, he has two children with his wife Victoria.

In the Corbyn years he was a shadow Brexit minister and lobbied for a second referendum on EU membership, although he now says Labour would not seek to rejoin.

After Mr Corbyn’s historic thrashing, Mr Starmer won a three-way leadership contest in 2020, thrusting him into battle with Tory leader Boris Johnson at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Keir Starmer served in Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet but has since distanced himself from the former Labour leader. PA
Keir Starmer served in Jeremy Corbyn's shadow cabinet but has since distanced himself from the former Labour leader. PA

Mr Starmer immediately set about shifting Labour to the centre and patching up relations with the Jewish community after Mr Corbyn’s tenure was plagued by anti-Semitism allegations.

He avoided symbolic traps that had felled Mr Corbyn by singing the national anthem and supporting Britain’s nuclear deterrent, and there was praise for his calm, methodical manner in parliament.

March towards power

At times he struggled to land a glove on Mr Johnson, with even friendly Labour voices wondering whether Mr Starmer would be no more than a transitional figure.

But Mr Johnson imploded in a string of ethics scandals, giving Mr Starmer an opening to preach integrity and honesty. Then the Tories blundered again by putting Liz Truss in power for a doomed 49-day experiment in economics.

Labour has enjoyed massive poll leads and a string of by-election victories since, in what supporters see as the safe-hands Starmer strategy bearing fruit.

Sceptics say it has more to do with Conservative chaos than any enthusiasm for Mr Starmer, who is accused by the left flank of making Labour indistinguishable from the government.

With his grey quiff and lawyerly manner, many see him as dull and feel he lacks the aura of Tony Blair, who led Labour to a landslide against a similarly tired Conservative government in 1997.

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian campaigners protest outside the constituency office of Labour Party leader Keir Starmer during a Gaza demonstration. Getty Images
Hundreds of pro-Palestinian campaigners protest outside the constituency office of Labour Party leader Keir Starmer during a Gaza demonstration. Getty Images

In trying to make Labour’s manifesto bullet-proof from Tory attacks he has backtracked on policies he once supported, such as scrapping tuition fees and putting £28 billion ($35.64 billion) a year into green investment.

And he has recently faced a revolt from some Labour members over the war in the Middle East, having delayed calls for a ceasefire and suggested Israel was within its rights to cut off water and power from Gaza.

Despite those grumbles, Mr Starmer has maintained Labour’s strong position in the polls and it would be a huge upset if King Charles III does not invite him to form the next government.

Labour Leader Keir Starmer campaigns ahead of the UK general election on July 4. Getty Images
Labour Leader Keir Starmer campaigns ahead of the UK general election on July 4. Getty Images

He promises a “mission-driven” government with a long-term focus on the economy, health, crime, energy and opportunity, offering a steady hand and "national renewal" in place of chaos.

Echoing Mr Blair, he issued a pledge card of six “first steps” such as revamping border security and recruiting 6,500 teachers that could hand Labour some early wins in government.

In preparation for power he has stepped up his presence on the world stage, holding private talks with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and France’s Emmanuel Macron.

Some feel Mr Starmer has played domestic politics on easy mode – but crises from Britain to Gaza would give him the chance to truly show his mettle if he pulls up to Downing Street’s gates in July.

Keir Starmer is Mr Navy, always - in pictures

Labour leader Keir Starmer has shown a tendency to dress in navy blue. All photos: Getty Images
Labour leader Keir Starmer has shown a tendency to dress in navy blue. All photos: Getty Images
Mr Starmer's navy wardrobe does not stop at suits; he is seen here wearing a navy bomber jacket while campaigning in Liverpool in October 2023
Mr Starmer's navy wardrobe does not stop at suits; he is seen here wearing a navy bomber jacket while campaigning in Liverpool in October 2023
Mr Starmer sports a navy jacket and shirt at another campaign event in Blackpool
Mr Starmer sports a navy jacket and shirt at another campaign event in Blackpool
Mr Starmer was wearing a navy suit when he was covered in glitter by a protestor at the Labour Party conference in 2023
Mr Starmer was wearing a navy suit when he was covered in glitter by a protestor at the Labour Party conference in 2023
Mr Starmer during a speech in 2023
Mr Starmer during a speech in 2023
Mr Starmer poses in a navy suit in Newcastle in 2022
Mr Starmer poses in a navy suit in Newcastle in 2022
Mr Starmer carries his navy jacket in 2020
Mr Starmer carries his navy jacket in 2020
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On Women's Day
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While you're here

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

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LA LIGA FIXTURES

Friday Valladolid v Osasuna (Kick-off midnight UAE)

Saturday Valencia v Athletic Bilbao (5pm), Getafe v Sevilla (7.15pm), Huesca v Alaves (9.30pm), Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid (midnight)

Sunday Real Sociedad v Eibar (5pm), Real Betis v Villarreal (7.15pm), Elche v Granada (9.30pm), Barcelona v Levante (midnight)

Monday Celta Vigo v Cadiz (midnight)

Anghami
Started: December 2011
Co-founders: Elie Habib, Eddy Maroun
Based: Beirut and Dubai
Sector: Entertainment
Size: 85 employees
Stage: Series C
Investors: MEVP, du, Mobily, MBC, Samena Capital

Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

Company profile

Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space

Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)

Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)

Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi 

Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution) 

Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space  

Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019

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