Keir Starmer has reportedly removed Margaret Thatcher’s portrait from Downing Street, citing it as “unsettling”. The Labour leader made this significant change shortly after taking residence at Number 10, a historic building that has served as the centre of UK governance for nearly three centuries. Starmer, a left-leaning lawyer who concluded his studies in 1985, opted to remove the image of the polarising former Conservative Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, whose controversial reign spanned from 1979 to 1990. The decision to discard Thatcher’s portrait reflects Starmer’s intention to reset and change the political landscape following what some perceive as years of mismanagement.
The move to take down the portrait attracted attention, making headlines in prominent newspapers like the Daily Mail and Telegraph on Friday, August 30. While some Conservatives expressed outrage at the removal, Labour members who have long opposed Thatcher’s political approach showed support for Starmer’s decision. The Prime Minister’s biographer, Tom Baldwin, shared that while viewing the paintings of former leaders in a room unofficially dubbed the ‘Thatcher Room’, Starmer agreed that Thatcher’s gaze in the portrait was unsettling and subsequently endorsed its removal.
It’s worth noting that the portrait was originally unveiled before David Cameron’s tenure, with then Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown commissioning and revealing it in Downing Street in 2009. Starmer’s previous accolades for Thatcher’s entrepreneurial initiatives contrast with his critique of Conservative policies during his campaign. Despite praising Thatcher for certain aspects, Starmer condemned the impact of decades of Conservative governance on the nation’s industrial regions.
Reacting to the portrait’s removal, some have criticised Starmer’s decision. Meghan Gallacher, a contender for leadership in the Scottish Tories, expressed disappointment at the removal of a significant figure in British politics. Meanwhile, others argue that regardless of personal opinions on Thatcher, her contributions to politics and status as the UK’s first female Prime Minister warrant recognition and respect.
The controversy surrounding the removal of Thatcher’s portrait underscores the enduring debate over her legacy and the impact of her policies. As Starmer seeks to reshape the political climate in the UK, his decision regarding the portrait serves as a symbolic gesture towards a new era under his leadership.