MUSIC BIZ WELCOMES NEW LABOUR PM STARMER

The U.K. music industry has welcomed the new Labour government, led by “music-loving” Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who various organizations are hoping will heed their calls for support.

Labour scored a landslide victory on 7/4, winning 412 seats in the British Parliament and ending the 14-year reign of conservative government.

“As a teenager who played the flute, piano, recorder and violin—as well as attending the prestigious Guildhall School of Music, Sir Keir is without doubt a music-loving PM,” said Tom Kiehl, chief exec of umbrella trade group UK Music. He has an immense passion for music. It is in his DNA. He fully understands the joys music can bring and, just as importantly, the huge challenges our sector faces. The potential of the U.K. music industry to contribute to growth must be at the heart of Labour's plan for the creative sector."

BPI CEO Dr. Jo Twist congratulated the new government, allowing: “We share ambitions to enable human creativity to flourish, underpinned by a strong intellectual property framework and commitments to support creative education."

Gee Davy, interim CEO and chief policy officer at the Association of Independent Music, outlined three points the organization hopes Starmer will support: creative tax relief in the music business, on par with those in film and gaming; adding apprenticeships to create more opportunities in small businesses; and encouraging responsible development in AI, which protects and nurtures U.K. music and musicians.

David Martin, CEO of the Featured Artists Coalition, hoped Starmer would deliver “much-anticipated reforms to music streaming, alongside greater support for the live music ecosystem.” Music Managers Forum Chief Exec Annabella Coldrick looked forward to “quick progress” on measures that make international touring easier and aim to combat online ticket reselling at exorbitant prices, as well as a “renewed focus” on payments from streaming services to musicians and a commitment to placing musicians at “center stage” in all discussions surrounding AI.

The 61-year-old Starmer’s taste in music is quite broad. The website Classic FM called him “something of a musical prodigy” and detailed his love of Beethoven. But in an interview with The Independent, Starmer also mentioned the indie artists Orange Juice and Edwyn Collins, as well as Stormzy, whose album This Is What I Mean, he said, “is a brilliant piece of work.”

We look forward to the PM’s upcoming address about brokering a peace agreement between the Gallagher brothers.