AMA with Tom Baldwin: author of "Keir Starmer: The Biography" - the Sunday Times bestselling biography of the Labour Leader

[RhiannonEMumsnet]

Hi there,

We're pleased to announce that with just a few days to go until the General Election, Tom Baldwin, former Labour advisor and author of "Keir Starmer: The Biography" - the Sunday Times bestselling biography of the Labour Leader will be joining us for an AMA on Sunday evening.

Tom's biography of the man who looks set to be the next Prime Minister has been described as "the first serious and consistently readable biography of Starmer" (Patrick Maguire, the Times) and "absolutely riveting and very timely" (Amol Rajan). You can join him live on this thread from 7.30pm on Sunday, or post your questions in advance below.

Thanks,
MNHQ

Hi Tom, the media seems to universally think that Keir is quite boring (and it seems like he leans into it a little bit!). Do you think thats fair? If not, whats the most interesting thing you found out about him when writing the book?

Do you think Keir Starmer is a better leader than Ed Miliband? Or do you think he's just had better luck?

Wondering why, given his past career, Keir isn't better at public speaking... Can they not give him some training?

I was really interested to read the Josh Clancy piece in the Sunday Times magazine last weekend - why do you think it is that people can’t see the Keir that Josh could after following him around for 3 months?

Why do you think the Labour Party has never had a female leader?

What do you think Keir wants to be remembered for when he’s done being PM? What’s his big idea or ambition?

How true do you think the 'lucky general' idea is for Keir? Do you think he could have done so well facing eg George Osborne and David Cameron as opposed to more recent Tories who have messed things up so spectacularly?

Keir obviously feels strongly about wanting to protect his family from the spotlight? If he becomes PM, do you think he will manage to be successful in that?

If England win the footy tonight will it help/hinder the last few days of the campaign?

I’ve heard it said about Keir that he doesn’t much enjoy Westminster politics. If he does get elected with a big majority, that could end up being an issue for him couldn’t it? Can you foresee any problems coming his way due to his lack of love for Westminster?

Hey Tom. Keir always speaks warm and emotionally about his mother, less so about his dad. Do you think some of his drive and ambition comes from wanting to prove himself to his dad in some way?

Do you really believe Starmer will reform the House of Lords? Seems bizarre to stuff it full of new Labour peers as one of his first priorities in order to get legislation through, to then completely disband it in favour of an elected chamber. Is this just another 'long grass' policy, like so many of Blair's promised reforms ended up being?

I heard Keir on a podcast a while back - the one with Jake Humphries I think - talking about how he finds it hard to trust people. Do you think it’s possible to be a good leader if you can’t do that?

It's a bit of a cliched attack from the likes of Liz Truss - but isn't is slightly bizarre that the last three Labour leaders have come from north London? Why do you think that is?

Hello, why do you think Keir Starmer avoids Rosie Duffield?

I’m one of KS constituents. I’m a Labour Voter but I don’t feel able to vote for him at the moment due to his disregard for the safety and lack of respect for women. Quite a lot of talk on the Heath today was about the Labour manifesto.

Does he understand that a lot of the people he assumes will vote for him feel the same as me? His neighbours, parents at the kids schools, other local
parents.

Hi all, thanks for your questions so far. Tom will be joining us very shortly (once extra time is done!).

Thanks,
MNHQ

It’s done

I have a theory that Keir, whilst fairly uninspiring during the election campaign, could possibly end up being an excellent PM. When you think about it, events have conspired to help him in this election - in normal conditions, with a competitive Tory party, it seems unlikely that he’d have much of a chance of winning, with his lack of charisma/magnetism etc. But the qualities that make you election winning aren’t necessarily the ones that make you a good PM. And there’s enough in Keir - pragmatism, decency etc - that give me hope that he could have what it takes to be an excellent PM. What do you think Tom?

Hi Tom, do you think Sir Keir, if he’s our next PM, will be able to bring the country together so it can move forward with positivity?
Thanks

I loved your biography. What 3 qualities in Keir do you admire most?

Do you think the polls are right or is the election going to be closer than everyone predicts?

Hello everyone.

He doesn't like the "boring" tag. Who does? He thinks his life has probably been more interesting than a lot of people who write him off as dull.

But there is a sense he's reassuring and a grown up which would be a change after the childish spectacle of the last few years.

Can we compromise on "serious"?

Keir would say 2015 was a very hard election to win. He also dislikes comparisons with past Labour leaders. In the end, however, if he becomes only the fourth Labour leader EVER to win a General Election on Thursday, that should be seen as some achievement, especially considering he started 20 points behind

He spent three decades as a lawyer and that's a very different kind of voice. He's got better over the years but will never the best. Not sure whether that's relevant to how he would do the job as PM - except that he generally tries to improve as learn on the job.