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Keir Starmer
67 quotes
“You have given us a clear mandate, and we will use it to deliver change. To restore service and respect to politics, end the era of noisy performance, tread more lightly on your lives and unite our country. Four nations standing together again, facing down as we have so often in our past, the challenges of an insecure world committed to a calm and patient rebuilding. So with respect and humility, I invite you all to join this government of service in the mission of national renewal. Our work is urgent, and we begin it today.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“He’s a true one-off, a pioneer in business, in politics. Many people love him. Others love to hate him. But to us, he's just... Peter.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2025 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On Peter Mandelson in February 2025.
“I actually welcome the judgment because I think it gives real clarity. It allows those that have got to draw up guidance to be really clear about what that guidance should say. So I think it's important that we see the judgment for what it is. It's a welcome step forward. It's real clarity in an area where we did need clarity, I'm pleased it's come about. We need to move and make sure that we now ensure that all guidance is in the right place according to that judgment.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2025 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speaking to a reporter, as cited in "Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomes 'clarity' on Supreme Court gender ruling", ITV News (22 April 2025).
“Let me start by saying that the victims of Epstein are at the forefront of our minds. He was a despicable criminal who committed the most heinous crimes and destroyed the lives of so many women and girls. The ambassador has repeatedly expressed his deep regret for his association with Epstein, and he is right to do so. I have confidence in him, and he is playing an important role in the UK–US relationship.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2025 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Statement on Mandelson at Prime Minister's Questions on 10 September 2025.
“I am sorry. Sorry for what was done to you, sorry that so many people with power failed you, sorry for having believed Mandelson’s lies and appointing him.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2026 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Apologising to Epstein's victims amid the Peter Mandelson scandal in February 2026.
“We don't support trying to deliver regime change from the air”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2026 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Trump says Starmer is 'no Winston Churchill' over Iran strikes, BBC (3 March 2026)
“It is not our war, a lot of pressure has been applied to me to take a different course and that pressure included what happened last night. I'm not going to change my mind, I'm not going to yield, it is not in our national interest to join this war and we will not do so. I know where I stand.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2026 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Starmer resists pressure from Donald Trump to join 2026 Iran war, quoted in "Starmer says he's 'not going to yield' to pressure from Trump on Iran war", BBC News (15 April 2026)
“We need to also assert who we are as a country, because Musk, again, has been interfering in our politics in the last few days, trying to whip up division – that is not who we are in Britain.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2026 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Quoted in "Starmer accuses Musk of trying to whip up division over Henry Nowak murder" BBC News (4 June 2026)
“The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election. I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question. And I accept that answer with good grace.Every decision I've taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party. I have spoken to His Majesty the King this morning to inform him of my decision.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2026 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Resignation speech at: "Prime Minister Keir Starmer's resignation speech in full", BBC News (22 June 2026)
“I think it's actually against Labour party rules to endorse another [candidate].”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2026 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Starmer, reference to Count Binface's participation in the in "Count Binface on Clacton byelection: ‘I didn’t know old Farage was going to self-detonate’", The Guardian (8 July, 2026).
“What a pathetic spectacle: the dying act of his [Boris Johnson's] political career is to parrot that nonsense. As for those who are left, they are only in office because no one else is prepared to debase themselves any longer—the charge of the lightweight brigade. Have some self-respect! For a week, he has had them defending his decision to promote [Chris Pincher] a sexual predator. Every day, the lines he has forced them to take have been untrue: first, that he was unaware of any allegation—untrue; then, that he was unaware of any “specific” allegation—untrue; then, that he was unaware of any “serious, specific” allegation; and now he wants them to go out and say that he simply forgot that his Whip was a sexual predator. Anyone with anything about them would be long gone from his Front Bench. In the middle of a crisis, does the country not deserve better than a Z-list cast of nodding dogs?”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2022 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Starmer's questions to Prime Minister Boris Johnson regarding the Chris Pincher scandal, during one of his last Prime Ministers' Questions sessions, via UK Parlament's YouTube channel (6 July 2022)
“[Asked if he was concerned about the police dealing with anti-monarchist protesters during a period of national mourning six days after Queen Elizabeth II died.] The word I would use around that issue is respect. I think if people have spent a long time waiting to come forward to have that moment as the coffin goes past or whatever it may be, I think respect that, because people have made a huge effort to come and have that private moment to say thank you to Queen Elizabeth II. Respect that. Obviously we have to respect the fact that some people disagree. One of the great British traditions is the ability to protest and to disagree. But I think if it can be done in the spirit of respect. Respect the fact that hundreds of thousands of people do want to come forward and have that moment. Don’t ruin it for them. But also we do need to respect the fact that other people must be entitled to express their different views.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2022 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Comments on the BBC Breakfast programme, cited in "Don't 'ruin' the period of mourning, Sir Keir Starmer tells anti-royalists" The Telegraph (14 September 2022)
“I have just returned from Buckingham Palace, where I accepted an invitation from His Majesty the King to form the next government of this great nation. I want to thank the outgoing Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak. His achievement as the first British Asian Prime Minister of our country — the extra effort that that will have required — should not be underestimated by anyone. We pay tribute to that today, and we also recognise the dedication and hard work he brought to his leadership. But now our country has voted decisively for change, for national renewal and a return of politics to public service.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“When the gap between the sacrifices made by people and the service they receive from politicians grows this big, it leads to a weariness in the heart of a nation, a draining away of the hope, the spirit, the belief in a better future — that we need to move forward together. Now this wound, this lack of trust, can only be healed by actions, not words. I know that, but we can make a start today with the simple acknowledgement that public service is a privilege and that your government should treat every single person in this country with respect. If you voted Labour yesterday, we will carry the responsibility of your trust as we rebuild our country. But whether you voted Labour or not — in fact, especially if you did not — I say to you directly, my government will serve you. Politics can be a force for good. We will show that. We’ve changed the Labour Party, returned it to service — and that is how we will govern, country first party second.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Yet, if I am honest, service is merely a precondition of hope, and it is surely clear to everyone that our country needs a bigger reset, a rediscovery of who we are. Because no matter how fierce the storms of history, one of the great strengths of this nation has always been our ability to navigate away to calmer waters. And yet this depends upon politicians, particularly those who stand for stability and moderation — as I do — recognising when we must change course. For too long now, we turned a blind eye as millions slid into greater insecurity. Nurses, builders, drivers, carers, people doing the right thing, working harder every day, recognised at moments like this before, yet, as soon as the cameras stop rolling, their lives are ignored. I want to say very clearly to those people — not this time.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Brick by brick, we will rebuild the infrastructure of opportunity, the world class schools and colleges, the affordable homes that I know are the ingredients of hope for working people, the security that working class families like mine can build their lives around. Because if I asked you now whether you believe that Britain will be better for your children, I know too many of you would say no, and so my government will fight every day until you believe again. From now on, you have a government unburdened by doctrine guided only by the determination to serve your interest, to defy, quietly, those who have written our country off.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Let me start where I must: with the victims of Epstein. All our thoughts are with them. Our thoughts are also with all those who lost jobs, savings and livelihoods in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crash. To learn that there was a Cabinet Minister leaking sensitive information at the height of the response to the 2008 crash is beyond infuriating, and I am as angry as the public and any Member of this House. Mandelson betrayed our country, our Parliament and my party. He lied repeatedly to my team when asked about his relationship with Epstein, before and during his tenure as ambassador. I regret appointing him. If I knew then what I know now, he would never have been anywhere near Government. That is why yesterday the Cabinet Secretary, with my support, took the decision to refer material to the police, and there is now a criminal investigation. I have instructed my team to draft legislation to strip Mandelson of his title, and wider legislation to remove disgraced peers. This morning I have agreed with His Majesty the King that Mandelson should be removed from the list of Privy Counsellors on the grounds that he has brought the reputation of the Privy Council into disrepute.”
Keir Starmer (born 1962) first seen 2026 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Statement on Mandelson at Prime Minister's Questions on 2 February 2026.