What will Keir Starmer do next?

Keir Starmer in Kyiv, Ukraine, this week. Latterly he has argued international and domestic affairs are ‘one and the same’. Photograph: WPA/Getty Images View image in fullscreen Keir Starmer in Kyiv, Ukraine, this week. Latterly he has argued international and domestic affairs are ‘one and the same’. Photograph: WPA/Getty Images What will Keir Starmer do next? Outgoing PM has joked about cookery classes and cutting hedges, but does the international stage beckon? As his time in Downing Street comes to an end, Keir Starmer has been joking with friends about what he might do after he stands down as prime minister. He has teased that he might take a cookery course. “He needs it, he only makes two meals,” one friend said. Another not entirely serious suggestion was cutting his father-in-law’s hedge in the expectation that if he did well, he could graduate to lawns. Another ally suggested he would climb some mountains – actual ones rather than the metaphorical ones than have impeded his political career over the last two years. Beyond that, his allies say, he has yet to decide. “He’ll take his time to think about it,” one said. “He doesn’t know yet what his priority will be.” Veterans of Starmer’s Labour government – often accused of lacking direction or vision – may well wince in recognition. But many of those who have worked closely with him agree that he is likely to end up doing something on the international stage, where he has garnered respect from fellow leaders , and is generally seen by voters as having been a success. View image in fullscreen Keir Starmer receiving the Légion d’honneur from Emmanuel Macron in Paris this week. Photograph: Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street Starmer has faced frequent criticism about the amount of time he has spent overseas, with critics labelling him “never here Keir”. Only latterly has he argued that international and domestic affairs are “one and the same thing” because of the impact of one upon the other. “He’s got an incredible amount of experience to offer,” one friend said. “It feels like he’ll end up doing something international-facing. That’s his comfort zone and also what he’s best at.” He is reportedly interested in the role of Nato secretary general, when there is a vacancy. In the meantime, Starmer is heading to the backbenches, with Downing Street suggesting he will stay until the next election. Some of his friends are not so sure. “He hasn’t had the headspace to think about it yet. I don’t know where he’ll land,” one said. But others believe he will be guided by his sense of duty: towards constituents, party and country. Local members in his central London seat have already urged him to stay on to prevent a byelection that could be won by the Greens. View image in fullscreen Starmer makes a victory speech after securing his Holborn and St Pancras seat in 2024 election. Photograph: Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images Every former prime minister also needs to work out what role they will play for their