Keir used to be called Special K? That sounds a bit flaky
SIR Keir Starmer has revealed he was given the childhood nickname “Special K” while visiting a Kellogg’s factory.
The Labour leader made the surprise disclosure as he toured the cereal factory in Manchester, where he met business leaders, apprentices and trade union representatives to discuss supply chain problems.
Asked by a journalist if he had been “dubbed Special K since your visit here?”, Sir Keir responded: “I’ve been dubbed Special K since I was born.” As if to press his point home (and presumably fearful nobody would understand the reference), the former chief prosecutor added helpfully: “Keir. K for Keir.”
Observers wondered if it wasn’t all a bit corny. In the pantheon of political nicknames, it may not be a keeper. That is K for Keeper. Margaret Thatcher had the Iron Lady and the Duke of Wellington the Iron Duke; Harold Macmillan was Supermac and William Gladstone the Grand Old Man.
Being named after a cereal targeted at dieters is probably not one that will resonate quite so well with floating voters. Unless they are floating due to prodigious dieting brought on by eating large quantities of Special K.
Sir Keir toured the Kellogg’s factory in Trafford Park yesterday morning, meeting business leaders, apprentices and trade union representatives to highlight the problems of distribution, shortages and supply chains that has left supermarket shelves empty and petrol stations short of fuel.
Boris Johnson, said Sir Keir, was governing “in chaos”. That’s probably true but Mr Johnson has a nickname – Bojo or else Boris – that may be preferable.
Special K was launched in the UK in 1959, three years before Labour’s own Special K was born in south London.
“The chaos,” said Sir Keir, “will continue as demand rises in the run-up to Christmas.”
The big question now is: Will the supermarkets be stocking Special K?
Or will there now be a run on the lighter cereal thanks to Sir Keir’s stamp of approval.