The Labour Party, a left-wing political group, has secured over 400 of the 650 seats in the House of Commons, marking a significant political shift in the United Kingdom. This victory paves the way for Keir Starmer, the Labour Party leader, to become the new prime minister, ending the Conservative Party’s 14-year dominance. At a rally early Friday morning, as results poured in, Starmer proclaimed, “Change begins now,” despite often being described as lacking charisma.
The Campaign Trail: From humble beginnings to PM office
Keir Starmer’s journey to leadership has been marked by a compelling narrative of humble origins. Since becoming Labour leader in 2020, Starmer has frequently highlighted his background, recounting how his father worked as a toolmaker and his mother as a nurse while raising their family in a modest “pebble-dash semi,” a small residence attached to another property. Despite the emotional resonance of this story, Starmer has sometimes struggled with the public display of emotion necessary to fully convey his narrative, a sharp contrast to the outgoing prime minister, Rishi Sunak.
In recent months, Starmer has intensified his efforts to distinguish himself from his predecessor and to appear more relatable to voters. This effort has been bolstered by guidance from an unexpected mentor: former United States President Barack Obama.
Guidance from a former president
Obama, who served as U.S. president from 2009 to 2017, has provided Starmer with valuable advice on being more open and vulnerable with the public. The two leaders communicated via Zoom, with Obama reportedly encouraging Starmer to embrace a more transparent and approachable demeanor. They also discussed the difficult decisions Obama faced during his presidency.
David Lammy, one of Starmer’s key allies and a potential foreign secretary in a Labour government, facilitated the introduction between Starmer and Obama. “And I know that Obama has strong views that Keir should do that,” Lammy remarked, emphasizing the former president’s influence.
Obama’s influence on Starmer
In March, Lammy shared on Politico’s “Power Play” podcast that he and Obama had known each other for two decades, having first met at an event for Black alumni of Harvard University. Obama visited Sunak in March and had dinner with the politician, according to The Telegraph. Lammy noted that Starmer now discusses his family’s history with greater ease, attributing this newfound comfort to Obama’s mentorship. “And I know that Obama has strong views that Keir should do that,” Lammy reiterated, highlighting the importance of Obama’s counsel in shaping Starmer’s public persona as he prepares to take on the role of prime minister.