Starmer’s appointment as Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union placed him at the center of the most contentious political issue of the decade. Following the 2016 referendum, the UK was thrust into a period of extreme uncertainty. Starmer had to hold the government to account while the Labour Party itself struggled to define a clear stance. He worked tirelessly to analyze the technicalities of the Brexit negotiations, constantly challenging the government to be more transparent about the implications of leaving the EU. His grasp of the complexities involved in international trade and law made him a persistent thorn in the side of Conservative ministers.