"Keir Starmer reflects on musical roots and post-punk love"

Keir Starmer has expressed his admiration for the Scottish post-punk band Orange Juice and northern soul, sharing details about his musical interests and personal experiences.

During an appearance on BBC Radio 3’s *Private Passions*, Starmer selected pieces by Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Elgar, reflecting on his musical background. He recalled learning to play the violin alongside Norman Cook, also known as Fatboy Slim, during their school years.

Starmer showed a strong interest in music from an early age, playing the flute, piano, recorder, and violin, and earning a scholarship to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He mentioned that he still listens to music daily as a way to unwind.

He praised the jangle pop band Orange Juice as "absolutely fantastic," noting that he first encountered their music while studying law in Leeds during the 1980s.

"Moving from rural life to a bustling, diverse city like Leeds opened up a whole new chapter in music for me," he said. "I admire their sound and lyrics, but it also brings back memories of my time there."

In a recent interview recorded at Chequers, he also spoke about his family’s fondness for northern soul. "Picture me in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, cooking with northern soul playing and my daughter singing along loudly—it’s a happy memory," he shared.

Starmer spoke openly about his family, including his mother’s battle with Still’s disease, a rare condition that took her life weeks before he became an MP in 2015.

"Later, I found out my father had made arrangements to bring her in her wheelchair to my swearing-in ceremony—they had even adapted their car. But sadly, it wasn’t possible," he said.

His first musical selection, from *Swan Lake*, honored his mother’s love of ballet.

The prime minister also became emotional while discussing the loss of his younger brother, Nick, who passed away last year at 60. "It was deeply painful. Music became a refuge for me during that time," he added.

When asked about the decline of music education in schools, he said, "We’ve allowed music and the arts to fade too much. The drop in participation is worrying. We should emphasize the value of studying music at an advanced level."

He acknowledged the challenges facing British musicians due to post-Brexit restrictions, making European tours more difficult.

"It’s had a stifling effect. I don’t believe anyone voted in the referendum intending to make it harder for artists to perform abroad," he said. "I recognize the urgency of addressing this issue."