As his time in Downing Street comes to an end, Keir Starmer has been joking with friends about what he might do after he stands down as prime minister.
He has teased that he might take a cookery course. “He needs it, he only makes two meals,” one friend said.
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Another not entirely serious suggestion was cutting his father-in-law’s hedge in the expectation that if he did well, he could graduate to lawns.
Another ally suggested he would climb some mountains – actual ones rather than the metaphorical ones that have impeded his political career over the last two years.
Beyond that, his allies say, he has yet to decide.
“He’ll take his time to think about it,” one said. “He doesn’t know yet what his priority will be.”
Veterans of Starmer’s Labour government – often accused of lacking direction or vision – may well wince in recognition.
But many of those who have worked closely with him agree that he is likely to end up doing something on the international stage, where he has garnered respect from fellow leaders, and is generally seen by voters as having been a success.
International Ambitions
Starmer has faced frequent criticism about the amount of time he has spent overseas, with critics labelling him “never here Keir”.
Only latterly has he argued that international and domestic affairs are “one and the same thing” because of the impact of one upon the other.
