LabourBritain's main left-of-centre political party. HQ was littered with empty glasses and confetti. But Sir Keir Starmer was nowhere to be seen. Britain's new prime minister had already headed to Number 10. There was no time for partying. Government is serious business. And it has to begin now.

Starmer has won a thumping majority in the UK general election. But he has not won Britain's hearts.¹ He comes across as sober, serious and stolidCalm, dependable, and showing little emotion or animation.. Commentators call him "dull" and "lacking in flair". Some say character makes the man.² But does Starmer have one?

Britain has always revered big characters, imagined and real, from Shakespeare's jolly, boastful Falstaff to Winston ChurchillThe British prime minister during World War Two, and later from 1951 to 1955. with his eloquence and wit. More recently, Boris JohnsonThe Conservative Prime Minister of the UK and head of the government from 2019 to 2022. became popular through his clownish antics and memorable appearance.³

When Starmer won his seat on Friday morning, he vowed "to end the politics of performance". Yet there are glimpses in Starmer's life of a more interesting, dynamic character - one which might endear him to British voters over time.

Robbed blind. Starmer's flatmate once came home to find two burglars stealing their television. The friend thought Starmer was out. But he found him upstairs, so absorbed in his work that he had failed to notice the thieves.

A little bookish. During his campaign, Starmer told The Guardian he did not have a favourite novel. But he has previously said that, if he lost the election, he would work in a "little bookshop" and make coffee for customers.

Double trouble. He has been the victim of identity theft. A man called Paul Bint pretended to be Starmer. He put romantic ads in newspapers and tried to charge cab fares to Starmer's work. Starmer only found out when a cab driver burst into his office demanding money.

Creature comforts. Starmer has been mocked for talking about his father's job as toolmaker too often. A less well-known fact about his parents is that they are serial donkey rescuers. They own a field full of the creatures. Starmer jokes: "Whenever one of us left home, they were replaced with a donkey."

Big baller. Starmer is obsessed with football. He has a season ticket to Arsenal and visits the pub after matches. He also plays every Sunday. Fellow player Ian Birrell says: "He told me the central rule for his game was 'don't be an arse'".

Avowed ally. In the 1980s, when homophobiaPrejudice or discrimination due to a person's sexuality. was common in Britain,⁴ a young Starmer was beaten up while trying to protect a gay friend from assault. This commitment remains. Biographer Tom Baldwin describes Starmer's "cold fury" over an attack on his queer niece.

Party animal. As a young lawyer Starmer lived in a flat above a late-night sauna. This proved useful for throwing parties. He later said: "We didn't have the kind of neighbours who would complain too much about the floors shaking."

Burger flipper. In 1997, when two environmental activists were sued by McDonald's for libelA false written statement about someone that damages their reputation. , Starmer helped them for free. The 10-year case damaged the fast food restaurant's reputation - and the company has since been better committed to animal welfare.

Could Britain learn to love Keir Starmer?

Yes: Stranger things have happened. 1940s Labour prime minister Clement Attlee was a modest man but is often voted Britain's best leader. If Starmer delivers, as Attlee did, people could take him into their hearts.

No: The public often admires big characters, but Starmer is a small one. He might command respect or derision, depending on your views and his actions in office. But few will fall in love.

Or... It does not matter. Starmer inherits Britain at a tight spot. His reputation will depend on whether he manages to turn things around. If he succeeds, he will deserve admiration if not love.