KEIR Starmer has reportedly ditched plans to release an autobiography.
The Labour leader said a year ago he was writing a book which his spokesman claimed would be about his “plans for a renewed Britain” and why he believes in the “vital importance of putting integrity back into public life.”
Starmer intended to publish the book by the end of last year but according to The Times, he has decided to not go ahead with it and is repaying the £18,000 advance he received from publishers HarperCollins.
READ MORE: Royal superfan arrested at coronation says Met is 'finger pointing'
He is instead reportedly cooperating with a biography being written by former Times journalist and Labour director of communications Tom Baldwin.
It is anticipated this will be published before the General Election.
Baldwin told The Times: “A year or so ago I was asked to help Keir put together an autobiography.
“That hasn’t happened, not least because of the time pressure on him as leader of the opposition, and the advance is now being repaid to HarperCollins.
“However, I have started work on a biography of Keir which is being written with the co-operation of him and his office.”
Members of Starmer’s shadow cabinet including Lisa Nandy and Wes Streeting have brought out their own books.
READ MORE: Next independence white paper to be released 'in coming weeks'
Starmer has faced tough questioning this week after saying he would not repeal either the Public Order Bill or the Illegal Migration Bill, both extremely controversial pieces of Tory legislation.
He said the Public Order Bill – which ultimately led to the arrests of scores of republican protesters at the coronation – was in its “early days” and suggested fresh guidance could make improvements, despite the fact Labour voted against the legislation as it made its way through Parliament.
On the Illegal Migration Bill, the Labour leader’s spokesperson told the Byline Times it may not be “necessary” for the bill to be repealed to bring in his own reforms.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel