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Keir Starmer

The Biography

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Keir Starmer

By: Tom Baldwin
Narrated by: John Sackville
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About this listen

THE BESTSELLING BIOGRAPHY OF THE NEW BRITISH PRIME MINISTER

A Times Book of the Year; A Telegraph Book of the Year; A Daily Mail Book of the Year; A Waterstones Book of the Year

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

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

This authoritative – but not authorised – biography by Tom Baldwin provides answers by drawing deeply on many hours of interviews with Prime Minister 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.

'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

'This is an absolutely riveting and very timely biography' AMOL RAJAN

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

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

©2024 Tom Baldwin (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers
21st Century Elections & Political Process Europe Great Britain Modern Politicians Politics & Activism Politics & Government Thought-Provoking Inspiring

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All stars
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I enjoyed this book and it was well written. However, I didn’t find out much more than I already knew and think it might be slightly too soon.

Interesting reading

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I feel like I understand and know Keir better after listening to this book - his background, values, motivations and plans for the country.

This book has given me hope.

An insight into the man

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This was such an interesting and easy listen about Keir Starmer despite some people's view of Starmer as dry and dull. Highly recommended and well-read biography of the man I hope with all my might will be our next Prime Minister. A doer - determined, organised, decent, kind and a mad football fan. The man, who I hope and trust can rebuild this broken country. Please listen if you're not sure about Starmer.

Keir Starmer - A very interesting listen

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Interesting biography and great narrator. Definitely some enlightening stuff in here. Would recommend to anyone looking for Keirs backstory

Interesting biography and great narrator

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

Inspirational

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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

Interesting as long as you retain scepticism

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I liked and admired Keir Starmer before listening to this audiobook, but now I consider him to be a truly great man. This fabulous biography documents the integrity of the man and his stand out humility and honesty. He is big time my celebrity crush!

An Astonishing Biography

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I’m disappointed that now he’s Prime Minister he doesn’t appear to be anything like as good a man as he appears in this biography. I was so hopeful when he won the election, though I am a Tory at heart, but his new Government is making a real mess of the rental market and the economy. I’m worried for my country.

Disappointment

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Very good to know more about the man who is now our prime minister - warts (hardly any) and all.

Inspiring

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

STAMMER OFFERS BUY ONE GET ONE FREE?

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