Even his most ardent supporters would likely agree that Sir Keir Starmer is hardly synonymous with excitement.
However, the Labour leader admitted last week that he had been a “bit of a guy” at school and had gotten in trouble for fighting.
Former students and instructors at Reigate Grammar School in Surrey were mystified by the news about a boy who was recalled as a “good student.”
The party leader said LBC radio host Nick Ferrari, “I did receive a detention.”
He stated that it was for “combat.” When asked who he battled, Sir Keir responded, “I can’t recall, but they were usually behind the sheds.”
Andrew Cooper, a Tory peer who attended the same high school in the same year as the alleged brawl, stated, “That’s news to me.”
“I do not recall any fighting. He was a typical adolescent boy. I do not recall any specific events, such as fighting or anything similar.
Lord Cooper stated that he had his “fair share of detentions” but could not recall “any detentions by Keir.” He believed that Sir Keir was a more captivating figure as a youth than as a politician, stating, ‘My recall is that he was somewhat of a live wire.
He was a charismatic child in social circumstances. If a group of boys were laughing on the playground, Keir would be in the center of it.
David Jones, a retired educator who taught the young Starmer French, responded to rumors that he had fought by saying, “Good heavens, no.” No, he was never brought to my attention in that context in any way.
I believe that, in his current position, he is unusually and slightly flippant. As far as I am concerned, he was an exemplary student.’ Andrew Sullivan, one of Sir Keir’s classmates, stated, “I don’t recall any fighting.”
He could have received detentions, but you rarely recall the detentions of others.
However, Mr. Sullivan, who is now a popular conservative commentator in the United States, continued, ‘He was a rough-and-tumble individual.
He was a tough guy. He was significantly more playful than I see him today. Today, I can hardly recognize Keir in public.
Mr. Sullivan stated that he and Sir Keir were infamous for never leaving each other alone in heated political disputes throughout their school years, claiming, ‘He had a great deal more personality than the current trend.
He was a natural force. He was burning with rage.
In 1974, when Sir Keir entered the school, it was a state-run selective grammar school. It became a private institution the next year and now charges up to £21,000 in annual tuition. Other old lads include DJ Fat Boy Slim’s real name, Norman Cook, and David Walliams.
Last night, a spokesperson for the Labour Party declined to comment.