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  • Keir Starmer

  • The Biography
  • By: Tom Baldwin
  • Narrated by: John Sackville
  • Length: 13 hrs and 39 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (110 ratings)

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Keir Starmer cover art

Keir Starmer

By: Tom Baldwin
Narrated by: John Sackville
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Summary

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

'This will be the most important political book of the year’ MATTHEW D’ANCONA, EVENING STANDARD

'The first serious and consistently readable biography of Starmer…It is a wonder that he has said so much to Baldwin' PATRICK MAGUIRE, THE TIMES

‘Required reading for anyone who has an interest in who governs Britain' ALASTAIR CAMPBELL

This authoritative – but not authorised – biography by Tom Baldwin provides answers by drawing deeply on many hours of interviews with the Labour leader himself, as well as unprecedented access to members of his family, his oldest friends and closest colleagues.

Together, they tell an unexpectedly intimate story filled with feelings of grief and love that has driven him on more than any rigid ideology or loyalty to a particular faction.

The book tracks Starmer’s emergence from a troubled small town background and rebellious youth, through a storied legal career as a human rights barrister and the country’s chief prosecutor, to becoming an MP relatively late in life.

Baldwin provides a vivid and compelling account of how this untypical politician then rose to be leader of his party in succession to Jeremy Corbyn, then transformed it with a ruthless rapidity that has enraged opponents from the left just as much as it has bewildered those on the right.

Above all, this is a book that should be read by anyone who wants to understand how someone who has too often been underestimated or dismissed as dull, now intends to change Britain.

‘Highly readable… Baldwin has peeled back more layers than anyone else' ROBERT SHRIMSLEY, FINANCIAL TIMES

‘Tom Baldwin’s portrait is off a tough, conscientious, and kindly man with the right values' ANDREW MARR, NEW STATESMAN

‘A highly informative, illuminating and insightful biography… the most complete portrait we have yet been offered’ OBSERVER

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Tom Baldwin (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

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Surprised me, didn't think I'd be optimistic but...

Moving, validating and reassuring! Haway Keir! Think I'm going to have to get involved. There is a light that never goes out.😃😎❤

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Decency and competency

understanding of the man. His motives and values. He'll make a fine Prime Minister

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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enjoyable story

Great to learn more about the next leader if the UK. Reading it filled me with hope.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

STAMMER OFFERS BUY ONE GET ONE FREE?

SLIGHTLY BREATHLESS AND OVER ENTHUSIASTIC DELIVERY AND WRITTEN IN A STYLE MORE WOMANS OWN THAN SERIOUS POLITICAL STUDY

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    4 out of 5 stars
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It is a long listen

Detailed and always worthy in depth revue of what I sincerely hope will be the most respectable PM of my time

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Is this a hagiography?... We will find out.

If it's not, then we could be looking forward to having one of our greatest prime ministers.
If it is, we will all
be singing
The Who's " Won't get fooled again"--
AGAIN!!!

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Inspirational

Great writing and great narration- an absolute joy! I wish everyone would read this book.

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Interesting as long as you retain scepticism

I came to this after listening to a podcast by Andrew Marr. This is the first politician's "semi authorised" bio I have ever read or listened to; intrigued to find out more about the man who is likely to be our next PM.
I have to say I found it very interesting an in part, quite moving. His story of going to a "posh" if not initially private school and then Oxbridge from a working class background is one I share. We are a couple of year's apart in age. I "buy" much of the story, but the author betrays his Labour Party Comms Director background a little at times with some "man of the people" vignettes that really do sound like 1980s election videos. Starmer; the local man in London, waving to the people as he strides past, stopping a taxi driver outside a newsagents to buy an A-Z to show him a better route...... really????
Sackville manages some pieces of the "message" with a little less naivete. The "I did not plan to run for leader" section of the story is not challenged, but not enthusiastically championed either. Equally, the ruthless expulsion of the Left once leader is not necessarily challenged, but again the direction of travel is consistent and no attempt is made to qualify it.
All in all an interesting read, but anyone with sense will recognise that this comes out a year or less before an election and must be read or heard in that context

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Baffled by Timeline

This is a fascinating read and tells Keir Starmers story in a most engaging way. The only exception to this is that on several occasions, I found myself confused by the time lines. Maybe I had lapses of communication, but I think the truth is that some of the storytelling jumps around a bit. Whether Starmer is about to become our Prime Minster, or the story of his

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very interesting

This certainly puts a lot more flesh on the bones of what up untill now appeared to be a sensible trustworthy man. After what this country has endured over the last few years a period of unity and realism is exactly what is required. An almost impossible task but this book gave me a glimmer of hope. Well done.

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