Sir Keir Starmer’s 35-page Fabian Society pamphlet, entitled The Road Ahead’, has been panned by many but there is one section which has a lovely ring to it.
The Labour leader wants low-income families to be taught “soft skills” which will bring “enviable self-confidence, self-worth and belief”. One way he thinks that can be achieved is by granting children the right to “play an instrument”.
Music has always been an important part of Starmer’s character. He was once a youth scholar at the Guildhall School of Music, playing an array of instruments such as the flute, the piano and violin. He’s also got great musical taste, telling the On The Hill magazine in an interview about his love of Beethoven sonatas, as well as his admiration towards Israeli conductor Daniel Barenboim.
But his taste is catholic. On Desert Island Discs, Starmer revealed an eclectic mix of genres, no doubt winning over a few voters from all age groups. He chose a cover of Bridge Over Troubled Water by Artists for Grenfell, featuring grime supremo and Labour stalwart Stormzy. He also went for some northern soul, choosing Dobie Gray and his hit ‘Out on the Floor’.
