Keir Starmer: What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? — FLAPSS

The question

What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

A fixed Guardian Q&A prompt asked directly across respondents and years.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

KS

Keir Starmer

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

There are yards and yards and yards of abuse every day. I ignore the lot of it.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 August 2023 source ↗

Others on this question

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Munroe Bergdorf

Apart from stuff on social media, an ex-partner telling me I’m unlovable.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 5 July 2025 source ↗

Mariella Frostrup

The music journalist Paul Morley described me as bland.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 November 2023 source ↗

“Next! We’re looking for somebody else.”

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 8 February 2025 source ↗

Rita Wilson American actress, singer, and producer

I was opening in a play in my 20s, and my agent came on opening night, brought flowers, took me out to dinner and then told me she was no longer going to be representing me.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 1 April 2023 source ↗

More from Keir Starmer

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Question What trait do you most dislike in other people? Values & belief

Disrespect. My dad was a toolmaker and worked in a factory all his life, and he felt looked down on, and it really affected him. And so all my life I’ve loathed disrespect and valued respect.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 August 2023 source ↗

Question What would you most want to leave your children? Death & what remains

Ever since they were born, Vic and I have been clear: happiness and confidence are the two things we want most for our children and the rest can all fall into place.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 August 2023 source ↗

Question What one change would most improve the quality of your daily life? Daily life

Having more time to spend with Vic and the kids.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 August 2023 source ↗

Question How would you want people to remember you? Death & what remains

As someone who delivered a bold and reforming Labour government, as a great dad and a great friend.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 August 2023 source ↗

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

Failure. I hate losing, particularly at football and politics. I play five-a-side every week – middle of midfield, barking orders. Some people say it’s the taking part that counts. I am not in that camp. It’s the winning that counts.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 August 2023 source ↗

Question Which trait in yourself do you like least? Identity & self

Vic, my wife, has over the years reduced my impatience, but anybody who has been in a traffic jam with me will know that she hasn’t completed the task yet.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 19 August 2023 source ↗

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