Starmer Weighs Post-Downing Street Future as Allies Eye International Roles

As his tenure in Downing Street draws to a close, Keir Starmer has been privately joking with friends about life after the premiership. Lighthearted suggestions have ranged from enrolling in a cookery course—“he only makes two meals,” one friend noted—to maintaining his father-in-law’s garden, with the potential to “graduate to lawns.” Another ally floated the idea of climbing literal mountains, a contrast to the metaphorical peaks that have defined his political career over the past two years. Beyond the banter, however, his inner circle acknowledges he has yet to settle on a concrete path.

“He’ll take his time to think about it,” said one associate. “He doesn’t know yet what his priority will be.” The admission may resonate with veterans of his government, who have often faced criticism over a perceived lack of strategic direction. Yet many who have worked closely with Starmer agree that his next act will likely unfold on the international stage, where he has earned the respect of fellow leaders and is broadly viewed by the electorate as having succeeded.

Starmer has faced persistent scrutiny over the time devoted to foreign travel, earning the moniker “never here Keir” from critics. Only recently has he articulated a doctrine linking global and domestic affairs, arguing they are “one and the same thing” due to their mutual impact. “He’s got an incredible amount of experience to offer,” a friend observed. “It feels like he’ll end up doing something international-facing. That’s his comfort zone and also what he’s best at.” Speculation has centered on a potential bid for the NATO secretary generalship when a vacancy arises.

In the immediate term, Starmer is expected to return to the backbenches, with Downing Street indicating he will serve until the next general election. Some associates remain skeptical. “He hasn’t had the headspace to think about it yet. I don’t know where he’ll land,” one said. Others believe his sense of duty—to constituents, party, and country—will guide his decision. Local party members in his Holborn and St Pancras seat have already urged him to stand again to avoid a by-election that the Green Party could contest.

Every former prime minister must define their relationship with their successor. Allies insist Starmer will remain discreet, offering counsel to potential successors such as Andy Burnham privately rather than adopting the public interventionist approach associated with Tony Blair. “He was a pain in the ass and that says more about Tony than it ever did about Keir,” one ally remarked. Another added: “He’ll be more Gordon Brown than Tony Blair in every way. I can’t see him going off to make his millions. He’ll pick a cause he cares about and stick with it.”

Regarding his legacy, Starmer recently told Sky News he may be remembered as the leader who “saved the Labour party” after the Jeremy Corbyn era. “Everybody along the way said: ‘It’s not going to happen. You’re not going to do it. It’s not possible.’ And every time I said: ‘It is. You watched me do it. We did it and we won a general election.’ And I’m very proud of that. So I shall walk out with pride,” he said.

Despite his public acceptance of the party’s move against him, friends worry the reality of departure has not fully registered. In recent weeks, Starmer has maintained a frenetic schedule of domestic policy announcements and overseas trips. “I don’t know what it means for him when he wakes up next week and it’s quiet, and he doesn’t need to rush downstairs to meetings. And then when he turns on the radio, and somebody is talking about the prime minister, but it’s not him,” one confidant said. “He’s got to keep himself busy. His family are amazing: they will help.”

History offers contrasting templates. Boris Johnson, whose final Prime Minister’s Questions ended with a “hasta la vista, baby,” is reportedly still entertaining thoughts of a political return. The Starmer seen in private, however, struck a different tone at his last parliamentary appearance on Wednesday, addressing his family in the gallery: “To my wife and children: I love you.”

In the coming weeks, Starmer plans to holiday with his wife, Victoria, and their two teenagers—respite long denied by the incessant demands of global crises and affairs of state. “I leave probably the most high-profile job in the country to the most important, which is to be the best dad I can to my kids and best husband I can to my wife,” he said last week.

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