'I'm proud to be a sir!' Starmer shuns critics who call him out of touch for knighthood
Sir Keir Starmer has said he is proud of his knighthood, shunning critics who accuse him of being out of touch
GB NEWS
Sir Keir Starmer said he is proud of his knighthood, shunning critics who accuse him of being out of touch.
He told GB News his speech yesterday, which went into detail on "working-class aspiration", is "really the story of my life".
Starmer said he was "very proud" of the 7,000 staff who worked under him when he served as the Director of Public Prosecutions, the role for which he was given the knighthood.
Asked about his reluctance to be called Sir Keir in parliament, Starmer told GB News: "There is no problem.
WATCH: Keir Starmer speaks to GB News on the final day of Labour Conference
"I am very proud of my upbringing and the story I was telling yesterday about working-class aspiration is really the story of my life.
"Which is starting from modest beginnings. We had troubles making end meet as a family, but I had opportunity to go on a journey that took me to standing here with you as Leader of the Opposition.
"I want every young person to have that opportunity."
When pressed on whether the title makes him look "out of touch", the Labour leader said: "I was knighted for my services to criminal justice because I was the Director of Public Prosecutions for five years.
"And the staff that worked for me - I had seven thousand staff who were very proud to see that through that their work was recognised.
"So, I am very proud, for them and what we achieved."
Giving a speech on the main stage of the Labour Party Conference yesterday, Starmer promised to introduce an "entirely new approach" to politics "focused on the interests of working people".
He said: "We have to be a government that takes care of the big questions so working people have the freedom to enjoy what they love. More time, more energy, more possibility, more life.
"It could be football. Could be fishing. Or just quiet time with your family.
"But we all need that, conference. We all need the ability to look forward – to move forward – free from anxiety. That’s what getting our future back really means."
Starmer said the UK is facing an "age of insecurity loaded onto the backs of working people", saying it will take a "decade of national renewal" to solve the problem.
He added: "We will need ambition, determination, patience – absolutely.
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Giving a speech on the main stage of the Labour Party Conference yesterday, Starmer promised to introduce an "entirely new approach" to politics
PA
"But also bravery. Because it’s brave to reject the hope of the easy answer. Courageous to choose instead the hope of the hard road.
"But if we give Britain the certain destination. If we walk step by step with working people. Bulldoze through the barriers in their way. Lay secure foundations at their feet. Mission Government our guide. Then yes, we can get our future back."
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