Until a few weeks ago, no prime minister in British history had ever admitted to being an atheist.

Faithless Keir

Sir Keir Starmer has described himself as being ‘loosely’ from an Anglican background; but he has not hidden the fact that he is not religious. (Somewhat ironically, he was named after Labour’s founding father Keir Hardie, a devout Christian and a lay preacher.)

But while he has confirmed that he does not believe in God, Starmer insists he does “have a lot of time and respect for faith.” In particular, he acknowledges Labour’s “huge debt” to Christianity and its traditions, and has said that the party owes more to the Methodists than it does to Karl Marx.

 Starmer ... has said that the party owes more to the Methodists than it does to Karl Marx.

Sir Keir has also pledged that Labour will join with what churches are doing to help “rebuild the country … We’ll engage churches across the delivery of all our missions because we know that their community connections and experience make us stronger.”

Many, of course, will say that such rhetoric is typical of politicians – echoing similar sentiments from, e.g., Tony Blair two decades ago – and that Starmer is no true friend of Bible-believing Christians in Britain.

Equally, there are many who feel that Labour went too far in seeking to win over the Muslim vote in the recent elections; that the Party has become vulnerable to ‘sanitised Islamism'; and that there are deep concerns with the Party’s formal adoption of ‘Islamophobia’ as a ‘type of racism’; which many fear will, in effect, introduce a new ‘blasphemy law’, outlawing criticism of Islam. (Read also Melanie Philips' article, Abandoning Israel and the Jews). 

Intriguingly, many Jewish voters returned to Labour in the recent election, saying they felt they were in a position to trust Labour again.

Christian Cabinet?

While Keir may not be a man of faith, a significant number of Labour MPs do ascribe to Christianity – at least by name. (Just how deeply committed they are to biblical values and to the gospel of Christ is, of course, less easy to ascertain.) A few others pertain to other faiths.

Just how deeply committed they are to biblical values and to the gospel of Christ is, of course, less easy to ascertain.

David Lammy, the new Foreign Secretary, has openly declared; “Jesus Christ is the inspiration for my politics as well as my lifelong faith”. Rachel Reeves, who made history by becoming the first female Chancellor, is a practising Anglican. Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, is a believer, and chairs the group, Christians on the Left.

And that’s not all. Sir Stephen Timms, an MP for 30 years and now Minister of State at the Department for Work and Pensions, is an unapologetic evangelical. Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, is a Roman Catholic. Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, is keen to declare, “I'm a Christian. I believe in God, and I subscribe to the fundamental tenets of our faith.” Meanwhile, Minister of State for Trade, Douglas Alexander — like Gordon Brown, a Scottish son of the manse – says that the faith and outlook of both his parents have had a lifelong influence on him. (read also here.)

No 10’s Jewish presence

Not only is there faith in the Cabinet, there’s faith, too, within Starmer’s own household. Keir’s wife, Victoria, is Jewish – marking the first time that a Jewish family has occupied 10 Downing Street in recent history. (Benjamin Disraeli was the only British PM to have been born Jewish, though he became an Anglican.)

In the Starmer household, Jewish traditions continue to be actively observed and cherished.

Victoria Starmer’s father was of Polish-Jewish descent, and her mother converted to Judaism upon marriage. Growing up, Victoria was immersed in Jewish traditions and cultural practices, which played a significant role in shaping her values and outlook on life.

In the Starmer household, Jewish traditions continue to be actively observed and cherished. The family regularly observes Shabbat, marking the weekly day of rest with family gatherings and Shabbat dinners. “Every week there’s a challah, and we say kiddush”, Victoria shared.

Labour and antisemitism

All this helps explain Sir Keir saying he would maintain his current habit of trying to spend time with his wife and children after 6pm on Fridays “pretty well come what may” – Friday night – the beginning of Shabbat – being an important part of Jewish observance.

All of this also helps to explain Keir Starmer’s strong support of Israel post October 7th, for Victoria’s connection to Judaism inherently links her to Israel, where, indeed, some relatives live. Sir Keir has emphasised the right of Israel to defend itself, all the while advocating for a two-state solution.

 Sir Keir has emphasised the right of Israel to defend itself, all the while advocating for a two-state solution.

Further, Starmer’s Jewish connection may go some way in helping explain his consistent attempts to root out antisemitism within his party. Under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, in particular, numerous incidents and complaints of antisemitic behaviour and rhetoric within the party were reported. Since becoming the leader of the party, Starmer has done much to stamp out antisemitism and restore trust, stating that there would be “zero tolerance” for such behaviour anywhere.

Labour’s values

Labour’s landslide victory may well be a deserved judgment on the Conservative Party for their significant failures in leading this nation over the past decade-and-a-half. Many will welcome the new opportunities that a new government will bring.

Fundamentally, the new Prime Minister insists that his newly instated government shares the Christian faith’s;

• abiding sense of the dignity and worth of every human being;
• desire to tackle injustice;
• determination to care for those who are vulnerable and find themselves on the margins of our society.

 Yet there are many challenges for Labour in the days ahead.

Yet there are many challenges for Labour in the days ahead. Of particular concern to many Christians is the Party’s;

• insistence that an independent state is the ‘undeniable right’ of the Palestinian people and that financial support for the Palestinian Authority is one of their immediate priorities;
• determination to deliver a full ban on ‘conversion’ practices;
• likelihood of introducing a raft of new diversity and inclusion legislation;
• doubling down on net zero targets, in its fight against climate change;
• policy to charge rates and VAT on all private education;
• ‘liberal’ attitude on various ethical issues, such as euthanasia and abortion.
• policy of allowing over 70,000 migrants to apply for asylum after scrapping the Rwanda deportation scheme;

Tim Dieppe of Christian Concern has given close scrutiny to the Labour Party’s 2024 manifesto, and has concluded that “This manifesto is far from recovering Christian values and principles in our nation.” Read also.

Need for God

Agree or disagree with Labour’s policies, there is recognition that no political party can bring about the deep-rooted transformation that is required in British society. The country as a whole is under judgement from God for having turned its back on our Judeo-Christian foundations over numerous decades.

The country as a whole is under judgement from God for having turned its back on our Judeo-Christian foundations over numerous decades.

Certainly, let us not forget to pray regularly for the new government and for our new Prime Minister. They need our support.

But of even greater importance, let us be inspired to get on our knees (literally or metaphorically) and begin to pour out our hearts before God in intercession, confessing our nation’s pride and waywardness, and crying out to Him for mercy, that He might turn His face towards us, and pour out His Spirit in copious showers across our dark and barren land, leading to many hearts turning to Jesus, and this nation to show signs of acknowledging its true God and Maker.