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

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

'Rigorously researched, lucidly written and highly engaging' FINTAN O'TOOLE, TLS

'Baldwin achieves his purpose of making Starmer seem more likable and less boring' LYNN BARBER, SPECTATOR

'A highly informative, illuminating and insightful biography... the most complete portrait we have yet been offered' OBSERVER

The Sunday Times Bestselling Biography

About the Author

TOM BALDWIN has spent most of his life writing about or working in politics from Westminster to Washington. He began his career on local newspapers before having senior roles for the Sunday Telegraph and The Times. He was the Labour Party's communications director under Ed Miliband and later helped run a mass campaign for a second referendum on Europe. He lives in London with his family.

Reviews

'It tells us much we need to know about the man who will be prime minister... The access is so comprehensive and his subject so uncharacteristically candid that exploring this private world can almost feel prurient... At times it is unclear whether Starmer grasps the significance of what he has done in cooperating with this biography'

PATRICK MAGUIRE, THE TIMES

'As intimate an insight into Britain's likely next Prime Minister as readers are probably going to get... and crucial to understanding what makes him tick.'

GABY HINSLIFF, THE GUARDIAN

'This story, told with sensitivity and simplicity, offers readers an insight into the question voters across Britain will ask this year: who really is our possible next prime minister? The picture painted of Sir Keir's motivations and make-up is skillfully done, with all the nuance kept in; [it will] engage any reader hoping to understand the man who may be running Britain come the end of the year'

BEN RILEY-SMITH, DAILY TELEGRAPH

'A fair minded, unflashy biography...[of] our next serious Prime Minister. Watch this space. Attlee may have some competition'

ROBERT MCCRUM, INDEPENDENT

'If you want to understand what drives the man who would lead Britain, start here - sharp, smart and illuminating'

EMILY MAITLIS

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

ALASTAIR CAMPBELL

'Beautifully written'

ISABEL HARDMAN, I PAPER

'A penetrating new biography of the Labour Party's leader'

THE ECONOMIST

'This compelling book sheds much-needed light on the real Keir Starmer'

THE SCOTSMAN

'You should read before the election'

JAMES O'BRIEN, LBC

Book Information
ISBN 9780008661021
Author Tom Baldwin
Format Hardback
Page Count 448
Imprint William Collins
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Weight(grams) 720g
Dimensions(mm) 240mm * 159mm * 42mm