Keir Starmer proved an interesting subject on ‘Desert Island Discs’
Chris Stevenson looks for political clues among the Labour leader’s track selections
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Your support makes all the difference.The nation got a look at Labour leader Keir Starmer's music taste on Sunday as he become the latest politician to be cast away on the long-running Desert Island Discs on BBC Radio 4.
As with almost all politicians the leader of the opposition was asked if his answers were subject to a focus group. He was quick to knock back the question saying: “If you run into anyone who has known me for a long time, they will tell you this is the genuine Keir Starmer list.” There were certainly flashes of the personal in his interview – talking about his relationship with his father, regretting that they weren't closer, and recounting his mother’s struggles with severe illness. But there were also elements of pragmatism that makes him to different to his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn – one choice being “a detailed atlas, hopefully with shipping lanes in it, so I can get myself off this island”.
When looking at the song choices, it is easy to see that there is something there for many different voters. The choice of the Artists for Grenfell cover of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" featuring Stormzy was “a reminder about what politics is really about”. That is correct, but it likely didn't hurt that Grenfell was a tragedy that that the Conservative government took plenty of criticism for. He also said that his “children love Stormzy and so it will remind me of my children”. Stormzy's vocal support for Corbyn also springs to mind, with the Labour leader also needing to bring Corbyn-supporting members onside (if he can).
“Out on the Floor” by Dobie Gray, a northern soul track, was chosen because it reminded him of living “with a group of friends in a really grotty flat above a sauna or a massage parlour that kept interesting hours.” The reference to the north was likely also useful – another key electoral battleground.
Whatever you think of Starmer, and I'm sure you will let us know in your letters to us, there was certainly plenty to think about in this radio appearance.
Yours,
Chris Stevenson
Voices editor
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