Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is to speak at this year’s Limmud Festival, the biggest UK political figure to appear in the event’s 40-year history. 

Sir Keir, who addressed Sunday’s Labour Jewish Movement conference, will be interviewed by the chair of Limmud’s trustees, Carolyn Bogush, on topics ranging from the recent Equality and Human Rights Commission report into antisemitism in Labour and the party’s attempts to rebuild trust with the Jewish community to Brexit. 

Rob Simmons, festival chairman, said, “This announcement is evidence that Limmud Festival 2020 will engage the Jewish community in the key issues facing us today, bringing the highest-level speakers to you at home.  

“We are excited to welcome Sir Keir and hundreds of other speakers including politicians, historians, scientists, journalists, writers, artists and many more to our landmark five-day event.” 

He will join Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid and Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis on the presenter list. 

Already 1,000 people have signed up for the digital event with 300 sessions so far scheduled. The event will run from Sunday December 27 to Tuesday, with programmes also on Friday and after Shabbat on Saturday.