Keir Starmer Makes History as First Western Prime Minister to Take HIV Test

Keir Starmer has made history as the first Western Prime Minister to publicly take an HIV test, highlighting his commitment to tackling HIV stigma and promoting awareness during National HIV Testing Week. The test was taken at Downing Street on Friday afternoon alongside singer and HIV campaigner Beverley Knight, who is a patron of the Terrence Higgins Trust, the UK’s leading HIV charity.

The initiative comes at a time when research shows that over 80% of adults in England are unaware that it’s possible to test for HIV at home, according to polling by YouGov on behalf of the charity. The UK Health Security Agency estimates that around 4,700 people are living with undiagnosed HIV in England, reported by the Mirror.

Starmer’s participation in the test reinforces his long-standing pledge to end new HIV cases in England by 2030. He announced that an HIV Action Plan will be released this summer as part of the government’s strategy. After taking the test, the Prime Minister said, “It is really important to do it, and I am pleased to have taken part too. It’s easy, it is quick. And during testing week you can get a test free – so it is a great time to also take part. If people test, they will know their status, it is better that people know, and that is a good thing because you can then get access to treatment, and that will also help meet our collective target to end new HIV transmissions by 2030″, according to GOV.UK.

Beverley Knight, who tragically lost her best friend Tyrone Jamison to an AIDS-related illness in 2003, also spoke passionately about the progress made in HIV treatment. She stated, “Living with HIV today is a world away from the experience that my late best friend Tyrone endured in the early 2000s. People living with HIV can now easily know their status, can access effective treatment, and live a long, healthy life. I wish this was the case for Ty.”

Knight added that her involvement in this campaign is in his memory, stressing that with today’s advancements in medication, individuals living with HIV can’t pass the virus on. She hopes to raise awareness about the ease of testing and the importance of understanding one’s HIV status.

Richard Angell, chief executive of Terrence Higgins Trust, praised the Prime Minister’s decision to publicly take the test, calling it a historic move. He added, “The Prime Minister has made history by becoming the first G7 leader to publicly take an HIV test while in office and has led by example.”

Rebecca Mbewe, an author and speaker living with HIV, also shared her story, underscoring the importance of testing. “Testing for HIV is the only way to know your status, and it helps you stay in control of your health,” Mbewe said. “Thanks to free, effective medication, I have a full life, I can’t pass HIV on, and I have a normal life expectancy.”

This public health effort aims to further break down the stigma around HIV and encourage people to take the simple, life-saving test.