Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, recently claimed responsibility for Arsenal’s signing of Declan Rice, stating that he used his son to trick the midfielder into signing a contract. Starmer, an Arsenal season-ticket holder, joked that he played a pivotal role in the high-profile transfer. According to Starmer, during a match between Arsenal and West Ham last year, Mark Noble, a West Ham player, took them down to meet Rice. Starmer’s son had his programme open, ready for Rice to sign, but underneath was the contract for Arsenal. Rice signed it, thinking he was signing the programme but was actually signing for Arsenal. This humorous anecdote highlights Starmer’s passion for Arsenal and his involvement in the football world.
Rice, who moved to Arsenal from West Ham for a staggering £105 million in July 2023, has been a standout performer for Arsenal this season. The midfielder has been instrumental in Arsenal’s pursuit of their first Premier League title in 20 years. Starmer’s claim of responsibility for Rice’s signing adds an interesting twist to the narrative surrounding the transfer.
Starmer also revealed his dedication to Arsenal by religiously penning the dates of Arsenal’s games into his diary when the fixture list is announced each year. He described watching his club as a “release” from the daily stress of being a politician. Despite his political commitments, Starmer expressed his intention to continue traveling to the Emirates Stadium even if he were to become Prime Minister.
When discussing his favorite players of all time, Starmer mentioned Arsenal and Premier League legend Thierry Henry as his top choice. He also mentioned Dennis Bergkamp along with current stars Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Rice. This insight into Starmer’s favorite players showcases his knowledge and appreciation of Arsenal’s rich history and current talent.
However, when it comes to Arsenal’s title chances, Starmer remained cautious. While acknowledging that this season has been “the best title race for ages,” he emphasized that the outcome depends on Manchester City’s performance. Starmer praised Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland as standout stars but refrained from making any bold predictions about Arsenal’s chances.
Despite his love for Arsenal, Starmer has not always been full of praise for the club. He joined the chorus of voices criticizing Arsenal for sacking their mascot, Gunnersaurus, during the Covid pandemic in October 2020. At the time, Starmer expressed his disapproval of football clubs spending millions on transfers while making staff redundant, highlighting his commitment to fairness and workers’ rights.
The narrative surrounding politicians and their football clubs is an interesting one. Other prominent politicians have also been associated with specific teams. Former Prime Minister David Cameron drew nationwide laughs when he appeared to forget which team he supported, confusing West Ham United with Aston Villa. Current Tory leader Rishi Sunak openly supports Championship side Southampton, his hometown club. Sunak’s support for Southampton is rooted in his personal history, as his father owned a season ticket to watch the team, and Sunak received a card signed by the whole team for his 18th birthday.
In contrast, Boris Johnson, the current Prime Minister, is known more for his love of rugby than football. Although asked about his football allegiance during his time as London mayor, Johnson gave a non-committal answer, stating that he supported “all of the London teams.” This lack of association with a specific football club sets Johnson apart from other politicians who proudly declare their team affiliations.
The intertwining of politics and football provides an intriguing backdrop to the narratives of politicians like Keir Starmer. These glimpses into their personal lives and passions humanize political figures and showcase their diverse interests beyond the realm of politics. The shared enthusiasm for football among politicians and fans alike adds another layer of connection and relatability between leaders and the people they represent.