Starmer’s football obsession isn’t just good politics, it goes to the heart of who he is | Tom Baldwin

On Sunday night, England will start their Euro 2024 journey against Serbia. While many people are engrossed in the football action, Keir Starmer will be enjoying the game and sipping beer at a pub in London. His focus will be on the entertainment, rather than political matters.

It's highly likely that someone will take a photo of the Labour leader, even though it's not an official media event. Some cynical people might think that he's only doing it to boost his chances of winning the campaign, where he's trying to portray himself as a relatable person. This is according to Laura Kuenssberg from the BBC.

In the end, this politician made his initial introduction to the election at a football stadium in Gillingham. Shortly after unveiling his manifesto on Thursday, he went to Crewe's Gresty Road to meet his supporters occupying the red seats. He also made a quick visit to the bar of a non-league club called Halesowen Town FC, where he had a lively gathering with his supporters before the night ended.

On that particular day, Starmer had to skip his planned visit to the Select Car Leasing Stadium in Reading due to his tight schedule. However, he has managed to make appearances at other football clubs like Worcester City and Stafford Rangers. Ever since he became the leader, he has visited various clubs such as Accrington Stanley, Carlisle United, Glasgow Perthshire, Ilkeston Town, Norwich City, Port Vale, Stevenage, Swansea City, Walsall, and Wycombe Wanderers. Not only that, but he also frequents many Premier League stadiums to support his favorite team, Arsenal.

On Wednesday, after leaving the playing field at another smaller venue, the Blundell Park of Grimsby Town, I inquired if he was attempting to visit all 92 league stadiums prior to the election day. "We're definitely accumulating them," he responded with a smile, tilting his head.

Starmer is not the sole leader who employs football as a political tactic. Football clubs are widely adored and easily identifiable in contested constituencies. Additionally, their locked gates offer security against unplanned confrontations with upset voters that campaign strategists dread.

Despite this, true supporters always remain vigilant for any sign of dishonesty. Tony Blair received unwarranted criticism for supposedly embellishing his childhood connection to Newcastle United. David Cameron faced ridicule after admitting to supporting West Ham despite years of proclaiming his love for Aston Villa. Although Rishi Sunak is reportedly a true Southampton fan, his poor attempt at dribbling a ball around cones during the start of this campaign was met with scorn, revealing his lack of footballing ability.

In contrast to others, Starmer is not only knowledgeable about the sport, but also has a deep passion for it. He plays it with an intensity that is easily recognizable by fellow enthusiasts.

Prior to the eight-a-side matches that he sets up in Kentish Town, the leader of the Labour Party is frequently observed near the locker rooms, walking back and forth restlessly, eagerly anticipating tardy participants.

He who possesses a season ticket for Arsenal football club has shared a story about his daughter poking fun at him for murmuring directions and using diagonal slicing hand gestures to indicate where the players should move towards. She humorously reminds him that the players are unable to see him through the television.

Starmer has been using football as a way to escape from the pressures of his not-so-normal childhood. His father, who was very strict, didn't let him watch TV. So, instead of joining in on conversations about the latest shows on the playground, Starmer opted to pass the time by playing soccer with his friends.

As someone who has always felt constrained, this person has discovered a sense of liberation in the exhilarating moment when a last-minute goal is scored and the whole crowd erupts in celebration. He describes the feeling as if everyone is being pulled upwards by an invisible force in the sky.

Moreover, Starmer utilizes football not only to clarify but also to establish the basis of what he refers to as the "peculiar lifestyle I presently lead." In fact, there is an entire segment in my account of him labeled "footballism," despite the fact that he commonly disregards other types of "isms".

He naturally applies common phrases from football such as "my actions speak louder than my words" as comparisons to politics. Additionally, he reached out for guidance from mentors such as Arsène Wenger and Gareth Southgate to improve his leadership abilities. "I observed how Southgate conducts himself," he shared. "He listens intently and doesn't feel the need to control the entire situation."

Last week, Starmer visited Grimsby Town and attentively took notes during his meeting with a coalition of community leaders who are working with the club to enhance housing and youth clubs in the area. A young lady expressed her feelings that politics is just a game, to which he concurred that, other than political factions, the majority of individuals are not worried about one's voting record. Rather, they simply want to focus on improving their circumstances.

According to Jason Stockwood, the vice chairman of the club, politicians who wear football shirts over their formal clothes or attempt to play football poorly to appear relatable will not impress the people in this town. Starmer appeared to listen to this advice, as he chose to keep the Grimsby bobble hat he received in its bag, even though Boris Johnson had previously worn it.

Therefore, a significant portion of Starmer's philosophy on football is more applicable to his potential governance style rather than determining his election victory. Numerous voters have no interest in football and there are even those who would prefer not to be in a pub surrounded by older gentlemen while watching a game.

In this election, the media seems to be thrilled about Nigel Farage's relatable persona, which he has built up by being a bit of a nuisance in the pub. Despite claiming to be a fan of Crystal Palace when he was young, there is no proof that he actually attends games. Instead, he mostly uses football as a way to criticize what he sees as excessive political correctness, such as England players taking the knee or a team kit featuring a modernized version of the St. George's Cross.

Starmer believes that regular people have more important things to focus on than getting caught up in arguments related to cultural differences. Just like him, they may be more interested in watching a sporting event this evening.

The book titled "Keir Starmer: The Biography" authored by Tom Baldwin is released by William Collins.