According to Business Insider, the United Kingdom is poised to undergo a significant leadership transition after the election results.

The Labour Party, a left-wing political party, has gained more than 400 of the 650 seats in the House of Commons, but not without help from former United States President Barack Obama.

This means that Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, will become prime minister, and the Conservative Party's 14-year dominance will come to an end.

Starmer declared, "Change begins now," at a rally early Friday morning as results poured in, but his victory came despite the fact he's often described as lacking charisma.

The Campaign

Starmer has been compelled to disclose his background as a candidate for high office.

He campaigned by emphasizing his humble origins after becoming Labour leader in 2020, frequently recounting how his father worked as a toolmaker and his mother as a nurse while they raised their children in a "pebble-dash semi," a small residence that adjoined another property.

However, Starmer has occasionally appeared uncomfortable with the public expression of emotion required to convey his narrative, despite the fact that it is a political asset that provides a stark contrast to the outgoing prime minister, Rishi Sunak.

In the past few months, Starmer has made a concerted effort to accentuate the contrast between himself and the former prime minister and appear more relatable to voters.

He has received assistance from an unconventional mentor: former US President Barack Obama.

Obama pushed vulnerability

Obama, who was president of the U.S. from 2009 to 2017, chatted with Starmer over Zoom and urged him to be more open and vulnerable with the public.

Additionally, the pair reportedly discussed the tough decisions Obama made while in office.

According to Politico, David Lammy—one of Starmer's vital lieutenants and his prospective foreign secretary in the event of a Labour victory—was the one who initially introduced the two.

"And I know that Obama has strong views that Keir should do that," he added.

A Recent Visit

Lammy stated on Politico's "Power Play" podcast in March that he and Obama had been acquainted for two decades, after meeting each other at an event for Black alumni of Harvard University.

Obama visited Sunak in March and had dinner with the politician according to The Telegraph.

Lammy observed that Starmer was able to talk about his family's history with greater ease than he had in the past, which was attributed to Obama's influence on him.

"And I know that Obama has strong views that Keir should do that," he added.