Talent agency snaps up Starmer for speaking engagements

A celebrity talent agency has tapped former Prime Minsiter Sir Keir Starmer for speaking engagements as he looks to share his views and experiences in Downing Street at paid events. Starmer has signed up with Creative Artists Agency, an $1.1bn international business that counts celebrities such as Ellen DeGeneres, Gordon Ramsay, Kamala Harris and Jacinda Ardern among its clients. The independent adviser on ministerial standards, Sir Laurie Magnus, has provided guidance on the terms of engagement, as is routine practice for former ministers taking up roles in the private sector.

At a recent event in Dublin, Starmer weighed in on defence matters by arguing that Europe should build a “common security framework”. He told the British Irish Chamber of Commerce dinner that the continent should “take on far more responsibility for its own defence and security”. Starmer’s next move Other ministers under the Starmer government have also taken on roles in the private sector. Chancellor Rachel Reeves recently signed up with Chartwell Speakers.

She has made a series of public appearances at university events both in the UK and across the pond in the US. Speaking at Harvard University this week, Reeves said her tax hikes made the UK economy “stronger” despite intense scrutiny of her economic decisions during her time in Number 11. She also took credit for offering free childcare to more parents, claiming she could support reforms by taking an economic approach through a “gender lens”.

Her male predecessor, Jeremy Hunt, introduced the policy under the Conservative government. Starmer quit parliament just weeks after resigning as Prime Minister despite previously claiming he would not ditch his role as an MP. Reeves has not resigned as an MP. Sagal Abdi-Wali won his seat at Holborn and St Pancras after beating Green Party leader Zack Polanski in a by-election. It is unknown what Starmer’s next official role could be after a career leading the Crown Prosecution Service, rising to the top of the Labour Party and winning a huge majority in the Commons in 2024 – before leaving politics due to months of scrutiny over the state of the economy, his handling of Lord Peter Mandelson ’s appointment as ambassador and ability to effect “change”.