Sir Keir Starmer has sparked anger among senior Conservatives by removing a portrait of Margaret Thatcher from 10 Downing Street. His biographer claims that, just eight weeks after moving in, Sir Keir found the £100,000 painting, commissioned by former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown, “unsettling”.
Tory MPs have condemned this act as “vindictive” and “petty,” urging the prime minister to reinstate the portrait. This move is particularly surprising as Sir Keir had praised Thatcher in a newspaper article just months before the general election. In that piece, he credited her with bringing about “meaningful change” in British politics, which drew sharp criticism from trade union leaders and left-wing Labour MPs.
The removal of the painting was disclosed by Tom Baldwin, a former senior adviser to Ed Miliband and author of a biography of Sir Keir. Brown had commissioned the portrait following a visit from Lady Thatcher to 10 Downing Street during his tenure as prime minister. An anonymous £100,000 donation funded the painting, which was unveiled in 2009.
“Keir Starmer orders Margaret Thatcher portrait removed from No 10”
Keir Starmer confirming his growing reputation as a pathetic excuse for a human being. It seems her image may have played on what passes for his conscience. pic.twitter.com/4glqo9pPFy
— Euphrosene Labon aka Wise El (@euphrosene) August 29, 2024
At a Glasgow book festival, Baldwin recounted a conversation where Sir Keir expressed his discomfort with the portrait in a study unofficially called the “Thatcher Room.” Baldwin described how Sir Keir nodded when asked if he would remove the portrait, and confirmed that he did.
A Downing Street spokesperson declined to comment on the interior of the house. However, the removal has led to a heated backlash from senior opposition politicians. Baroness Arlene Foster, former Northern Ireland first minister, criticised the decision, stating on X: “I think it is ‘unsettling’ that the PM should remove the first female PM from No 10.”
Former Tory minister Esther McVey also attacked Sir Keir, describing him as “pathetic and petty-minded” for removing the picture of the first female prime minister. She suggested he might not want to be reminded of a politician he could never match.
In Scotland, all three candidates for the leadership of the Scottish Conservative Party voiced their disapproval. Russell Findlay highlighted that Brown had commissioned the portrait out of respect for Thatcher, while Meghan Gallacher called the removal disgraceful, emphasising Thatcher’s role in paving the way for women in politics.
Sir Keir’s earlier praise for Thatcher in his December article led to strong reactions from Labour’s left wing. Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack criticised Thatcher’s government for causing mass unemployment and poverty, and left-wing Labour MP Ian Lavery condemned her for brutalising miners and their families.
What Other Media Are Saying
- HuffPost UK reports that Keir Starmer has removed an unsettling portrait of Margaret Thatcher from No. 10 Downing Street, a move criticized by Russell Findlay.(read more)
- The Herald reports on Keir Starmer’s decision to remove a portrait of Margaret Thatcher from Downing Street, sparking Tory outrage and criticism for perceived “petty” behavior.(read more)
- Express.co.uk reports that Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been criticized for removing the portrait of Margaret Thatcher from the Thatcher Room study, citing it as “unsettling.”(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why did Sir Keir Starmer remove Margaret Thatcher’s portrait from Downing Street?
He found the painting ‘unsettling’ according to his biographer, Tom Baldwin.
Who commissioned the portrait of Margaret Thatcher?
Former Labour premier Gordon Brown commissioned it after Thatcher visited him at Number 10.
How much did the Margaret Thatcher portrait cost?
The portrait was funded by an anonymous £100,000 donation.
What was the reaction to the removal of Margaret Thatcher’s portrait?
Senior Tories and political grandees condemned the removal as ‘vindictive’ and ‘petty’.
Where was the Margaret Thatcher portrait hung in Downing Street?
It was hung in a study unofficially called the ‘Thatcher Room’.