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Keir Starmer

67 quotes

“[I ask] the question of the role the police should play, if any, in civil society. Who are they protecting and from what?”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 1986 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Opinion piece on the (1986), as quoted in Patrick Maguire, "Keir Starmer: The sensible radical", The New Statesman (31 March 2020)
“The referendum is clear and has to be accepted and we can't have a re-run of the question that was put to the country earlier this year. But, and it's a big but, there has to be democratic grip of the process and, at the moment, what the prime minister's trying to do is to manoeuvre without any scrutiny in Parliament and that's why the terms on, which we're going to negotiate absolutely have to be put to a vote in the House.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Brexit: MPs should vote on talks, says Labour's Starmer" BBC News (9 October 2016)
“We accept and respect the outcome of the referendum.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Reality Check: Could High Court ruling on Article 50 scupper Brexit?" BBC News (3 November 2016)
“What I think is really important is that the government aims high. My worry is that the government has attached so much importance to immigration that it's not even going to try to get the best access to the single market. In other words, it's going to give up before it starts. My sense is that the government is saying 'because we want to take such a hard line on immigration we are going to give up on parts of the argument that would be better for the economy'.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2016 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Brexit talks should include free movement, says Keir Starmer" BBC News (10 November 2016)
“I wish the result had gone the other way. I campaigned passionately for that. But as democrats our party has to accept that result and it follows that the prime minister should not be blocked from starting the Article 50 negotiations.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2017 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Brexit decision 'difficult' for Labour, Keir Starmer says" BBC News (31 January 2017)
“What's clear, from the CBI and others, is that there is no result that would be worse for the British economy than leaving [the EU] with no deal”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2017 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Brexit: Donald Tusk warns UK against 'no deal threat'" BBC News (15 March 2017)
“The Labour Party has supported strong counter-terrorism legislation over the years and we have that commitment in our manifesto”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2017 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Labour's Keir Starmer says IRA comments were 'regrettable'" BBC News (7 June 2017)
“We are absolutely clear we can not have a hard border we need to negotiate with our EU partners.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2017 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Labour's Keir Starmer says IRA comments were 'regrettable'" BBC News (7 June 2017)
“Labour would seek a transitional deal that maintains the same basic terms that we currently enjoy with the EU. That means we would seek to remain in a customs union with the EU and within the single market during this period. It means we would abide by the common rules of both.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2017 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Brexit: Keep single market for transition period - Labour" BBC News (27 August 2017)
“Remaining in a form of customs union after a transition post-Brexit phase remained a possible end destination for the Labour party.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2017 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Labour conference: Starmer claims 'grown-up' Brexit stance" BBC News (25 September 2017)
“[I want a partnership with the EU that] retains the benefits of the single market and the customs union”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2017 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Brexit: David Davis wants 'Canada plus plus plus' trade deal" BBC News (10 December 2017)
“Obviously, there are lots of benefits from a customs union, none more so, in many respects, than in Northern Ireland.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2018 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Sir Keir Starmer makes NI warning over Brexit deal" BBC News (29 January 2018)
“We all want to do bold new trade agreements but we would be better off doing that with the EU.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2018 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Labour wants permanent customs union treaty after Brexit - Starmer" BBC News (25 February 2018)
“Benefits of the single market and customs union... need to be hard-wired into the final agreement”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2018 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Labour frontbencher Owen Smith backs another EU referendum" BBC News (23 March 2018)
“There's a growing view, I think probably a majority view in Parliament now, that it's in our national interests and economic interests to stay in a customs union with the EU. We've got a huge manufacturing sector in the UK that needs to be protected, with many goods going over borders many, many times, and we need to protect that.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2018 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Brexit: Senior MPs to force customs union vote" BBC News (19 April 2018)
“It is right for Parliament to have the first say but if we need to break the impasse, our options must include campaigning for a public vote and nobody is ruling out Remain as an option.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2018 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Labour conference: Members vote to keep referendum option open" BBC News (25 September 2018)
“I remain as convinced as ever that the consequences of no deal would be so severe that it cannot be allowed to happen.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2018 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Brexit: New referendum still an option, says Emily Thornberry" BBC News (11 November 2018)
“During the talks, almost literally as we were sitting in the room talking, cabinet members and wannabe Tory leaders were torpedoing the talks with remarks about not being willing to accept the customs union. In terms of the team that we were negotiating with, I'm not blaming them. Circling around those that were in the room trying to negotiate were others who didn't want the negotiation to succeed because they had their eye on what was coming next.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2019 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Brexit: Withdrawal Agreement Bill 'should include public vote'" BBC News (18 May 2019)
“When you say you will leave without a deal - do or die - what sort of message does that send to the people of Northern Ireland?”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2019 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Sir Keir Starmer: MPs 'casual' about no-deal Brexit for NI" BBC News (23 September 2019)
“I don’t think there are big issues on which I’ve changed my mind. The big issue we were grappling with then was how the Labour Party, or the left generally, bound together the wider movement and its strands of equality – feminist politics, green politics, LGBT – which I thought was incredibly exciting, incredibly important.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2020 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Quoted in Patrick Maguire, "Keir Starmer: The sensible radical", The New Statesman (31 March 2020)
“Passover is also a fitting moment for me to acknowledge the pain and hurt that the Labour Party has caused Jewish people in recent years. Anti-Semitism has been a stain on our party. I have seen first-hand the unacceptable and unimaginable levels of grief and distress it has caused many in the Jewish community and beyond. It is why my very first act on becoming leader over the weekend was to apologise for the hurt that has been caused. I want to apologise again and reiterate my pledge to tear out this poison by its roots.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The principle of what I want to achieve is clear: if you are anti-Semitic, you cannot and should not be in the Labour Party. No ifs, no buts.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2020 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Keir Starmer: I apologise to the Jewish community — rebuilding your trust starts now" Evening Standard (7 April 2020)
“There are four elections on Thursday 6 May.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I will change the things that need changing and that is the change that I will bring about.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I've got to do Kinnock and Blair's job in one term.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2021 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Conversation with Jason Cowley (summer 2021), recounted in "The Keir Starmer I know: an outsider driven by self-belief, not politics", The Sunday Times (25 May 2024).
“So let me be very clear: with Labour, Britain will not go back into the EU. We will not be joining the single market. We will not be joining a customs union.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2022 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech quoted in "Starmer ends Labour silence on Brexit as he rules out rejoining single market", The Guardian (4 July 2022).
“Today I want to set out what's at stake for Britain, because while politics is always about choices, the choice now is as stark as it gets. We face a battle for the soul of our country, who we are, who we're for, and the Labour choices of Britian is that it's greener, fairer, and more dynamic.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2022 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Government is in turmoil, Starmer calls for an Election Speech (October 2022)
“The lady's not for turning up.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2024 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Starmer to Penny Mordaunt about Liz Truss, as cited in "Liz Truss accused of ‘hiding away’ after sending Penny Mordaunt to face MPs in her place", The Independent (17 October 2024)
“The only mandate she's ever had was from members opposite. It was a mandate built on fantasy economics, and it ended in disaster. The country's got nothing to show for it except the destruction of the economy and the implosion of the Tory Party. I've got the list here: 45p tax cut, gone. Corporation tax cut, gone. 20p tax cut, gone. Two-year energy freeze, gone. Tax-free shopping, gone. Economic credibility, gone! And her supposed best friend the former chancellor, he's gone as well. They're all gone! So why is she still here?”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2022 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Starmer's questions to Prime Minister Liz Truss regarding the September 2022 "mini budget" during her last Prime Ministers' Questions session, via The Guardian's YouTube channel (19 October 2022)
“The only time he ran in a competitive election, he got trounced by the former prime minister, who herself got beaten by lettuce!”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2022 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Starmer's questions to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak regarding Sunak losing his first leadership bid to Liz Truss, during Sunak's first Prime Ministers' Questions session, via The Guardian's YouTube channel (25 October 202…
“So that means fair rules, firm rules, a points-based system. What I would like to see is the numbers go down in some areas. I think we're recruiting too many people from overseas into, for example, the health service. But on the other hand, if we need high-skilled people in innovation in tech to set up factories etc, then I would encourage that.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“[Opposing a future Scottish independence referendum regardless of the Supreme Court in London potentially deciding to accept the Scottish Parliament has a legal right to hold one.] It's good the case has gone to court because I think it's better to have legal certainty, so we all know the basis on which we're operating [...] All the court is going to be able to rule is, if it does rule in favour, is that there could or can be, [that] it's legally permissible to have a referendum. That doesn't answer the political question, which is 'should there be a referendum'?”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2022 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interviewed on The Sunday Show (BBC Scotland television programme, 6 November 2022), as cited in "Keir Starmer says NHS jobs must be filled domestically as he fails to set out democratic route to independence"], The Sco…
“We took the decision to leave and we have left. So now what we need to do is rather than just sticking with the deal we've got which is not good enough, we need to make Brexit work.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2022 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interviewed on The Sunday Show (BBC Scotland television programme, 6 November 2022), as quoted in "Keir Starmer: There is no case for returning to the EU" The Herald (Glasgow, 6 November 2022).
“Antisemitism is an evil. It is a very specific type of racism, one that festers and spreads like an infection. Its conspiratorial nature attracts those who would have no truck with any other form of prejudice. Indeed, it can be those who call themselves "anti-racist" who are most blind to it. The reason the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) opened their investigation into the Labour Party was because it had become an incubator for this poison. We needed to change. That's why my first act as leader was to commit to tearing antisemitism out by the roots, without fear or favour.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The Labour Party I lead today is unrecognisable from 2019. There are those who don't like that change, who still refuse to see the reality of what had gone on under the previous leadership. To them I say in all candour: we are never going back. If you don’t like it, nobody is forcing you to stay.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The Labour Party I lead is patriotic. It is a party of public service, not protest. It is a party of equality, justice and fairness; one that proudly puts the needs of working people above any fringe interest. It is a party that doesn't just talk about change – it delivers it.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2023 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Keir Starmer: My Labour is patriotic, a party of equality not protest" The Times (14 February 2023)
“The lettuces are out, but the turnips are in.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2023 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: To Sunak at PMQs (March 2023)
“They blew up for me an incredibly detailed photograph of a lung with very dark marks on it which were all the air pollution from our roads which were causing cancer in that and many other patients. It's worth us all just asking ourselves...if we are not prepared to do these sort of schemes what are we going to do. If increasing numbers of people, and young people as well, are getting cancer...I have to say..intake of breath when I saw the phot[o]graph, they said there are the dark areas that are lung cancer because of it (air pollution). We can’t just sit that out.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2023 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On a visit to the Crick Institute in an interview on LBC, as cited in "Keir Starmer: Ulez expansion needed to curb lung cancer", Evening Standard (15 May 2023).
“[On the Just Stop Oil protests] I can't wait for them to stop their antics, frankly. They're interrupting iconic sporting events that are part of our history, tradition and massively looked forward to across the nation. I absolutely condemn the way they go about their tactics. And I have to say it's riddled with an arrogance that only they have the sort of right to force their argument on other people in this way.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2023 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On Times Radio (6 July 2023), as cited in "Keir Starmer promises compulsory arts or sport until 16" The Times (6 July 2023)
“In fact, I hate tree huggers.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2023 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Reported (but officially denied) comments to the Shadow Cabinet after a presentation from Ed Miliband (Shadow Secretary of State for Climate Change and Net Zero), as cited in "'I hate tree huggers': How Starmer apparent…
“As for Uxbridge [and South Ruislip], we always knew that was going to be tough [...] We didn't win Uxbridge in 1997, and obviously we knew that ULEZ [(Ultra Low Emission Zone)] was an issue. That's why we lost in Uxbridge. We all need to reflect on that, including the mayor [of London], but there's no taking away from the historic event that has happened here in Selby [and Ainsty].”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2023 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Labour's Uxbridge defeat sparks blame game: 'We've got a lot to think about'", Sky News (21 July 2023)
“Every time there's been the threat of a rebellion he's backed down. The one thing you get if you win the leadership of your party is the right to say 'I've won the leadership and I'm going to do this, and we're going to do it and this is what I'm saying we're going to do with the party, and we're going to do it’. He doesn't have the ability to do that because he hasn't got a mandate.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2023 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speaking on the Political Party podcast with Matt Forde, as cited in "Sir Keir Starmer: I loathed unprincipled, lying Boris Johnson" The Times (21 February 2023).
“Further information came to light yesterday calling for decisive action, so I took decisive action. It is a huge thing to withdraw support for a Labour candidate during the course of a by-election. It's a tough decision, a necessary decision, but when I say the Labour Party has changed under my leadership I mean it.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2024 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Comments in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire (13 February 2024), as cited in "Graham Jones: Labour suspends second candidate over Israel comments", The Times (13 February 2024)
“Responding to the 2024 election being called. "Keir Starmer delivering a speech on the announcement of the UK General Election", Labour.org (22 May 2024)”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“From the manifesto launch, as cited in "Keir Starmer – A stronger, safer, more secure Britain speech", Labour Party press release (3 June 2024)”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“This is a serious plan, carefully thought through. It is not about rabbits out of the hat, it's not about pantomime, we've had enough of that. I'm running as a candidate to be prime minister, not a candidate to run the circus.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“If you want politics as pantomime, I hear Clacton is nice this time of year.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2024 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speaking to journalists at the manifesto launch, as cited in Jennifer Scott, "Labour launches manifesto as Sir Keir Starmer pledges to end political 'pantomime' and 'rebuild Britain'", Sky News (3 June 2024).
“I call again for...the return of the sausages.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2024 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech at the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool (22 September 2024)
“I am clear that Israel has the right to defend itself against Iranian aggression. I'm equally clear that we need to avoid further regional escalation and urge all sides to show restraint. Iran should not respond”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2024 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: British PM Starmer says Iran should not respond to Israeli strikes (25 October, updated 26 October, 2024)
“Changing a country is not like flicking a switch. The world is now a more volatile place. This will take a while. But have no doubt that the work of change begins immediately. Have no doubt that we will rebuild Britain with wealth created in every community.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source