To wish Sir Keir and his wife would not hold hands when working

No, she is a lawyer/manager in the occupational therapy department of a hospital. The press are wrong when they describe her as an occupational therapist.

@TimeandMotion- she's an occupational therapist, and there is only so many people allowed off at any one time, and others would have to take over the roles, same as any other NHS role, admin occupational health or in the wards- although I did think she was in the wards and with patients, happy to be told otherwise. Regardless, having part of summer off to go abroad with your husband, when other people will have had leave denied, I imagine would leave a bad taste in anyone's mouth though.

I thought she was an occupational therapist? That’s front line, isn’t it?

She’s not front line, she works in an office, they don’t really “run short” they just catch up on the admin when they get back from leave.

Of course they're people in their own right, why would you assume they're not choosing to be there of their own accord?

This thread is all about either a) I don't personally feel comfortable holding hands so I begrudge others doing it or b) I don't personally like the fact that leader won so begrudge their attendance.

It's a thread full of people who feel bitter!

In fairness, most of those comments were not in response to your OP, but to the silly generalizations made by some posters about the sort of people they think hold hands.

You were the one that brought in (and judged) other people "like the Obamas, the Macrons and the Sussexes". In your OP

To be fair, the reason that people brought in anecdotes about them/their parents/grandparents was because others (not you) made the stupid and also very sad claim that no one, bar youngsters in the 1st flush of love, held hands

And I repeat, no one, but no one, has suggested that we would expect to see them holding hands in formal meetings (although someone did post a photo of Blair and Clinton doing just that - as well as Charles & Camilla on "official business" in all their regalia.).

The only thing I thought, to be honest, was that previous articles banged on about the fact she was keeping her NHS job, and I was slightly jealous knowing I wouldn't have been able to get annual leave for a quick jaunt abroad with it being summer and school holidays soon, so the department is either running short, or if just be dirty as hell if I'd had leave declined for the same time.....

This isn’t about the Sussexes, though, is it, @CollyBobble - wasn’t a question.
Your obsession with two people you don’t know, will never meet and who have no effect on your life whatsoever has taken a disturbing turn when you’re posting about them on a post about the Prime Minister of the UK and his wife holding hands.

Who gives a shit OP? I mean really.

Remember that time Donald tried to hold Melania’s hand and she batted it away?
I guess that sent a message.

Actually, she did that several times.

Aliens.
Lizard people.
The Martians.
Gorziods.
The underground ones.
The night people.
Christ almighty get ahold of yourself.

Ridiculous post whatever someones politics.

Judge them by their actions, not what they say, wear, sound like etc.

Tedious.

@greenlettuce-Exactly. Late DH and I used to hold hands and even hug in public. Little did we realise gown inflammatory this was to certain people and that we still actually live in the 1950s.

I think given the President of the US and the First lady of the US are hosting then partners are part of the diplomacy. I admire the fact the Keir Starmer's wife is independent and is keen to life her own life. Holding hands is no big deal , people hug each other all the time. The body language is quite interesting, my impression is off a strong relationship and love - in a way that we haven't seen from a PM before.

There are other ways to be repugnant without outright name calling or screaming at people.

I'm sure we could come up with some kind of intricate dance movement!

@BIWI - maybe dh and I should meet up with you and your dh at a pub and do some performative hand holding

YABU

Posted early by mistake .

What sad role models she must have had.

I'm not from a "touchy-feely-huggy" family - yet I still regularly saw my parents holding hands, even into their 60s (mum died at 72 after developing a head-injury induced dementia ) and even, , kissing in front of us The tenderness they had for each other was special (not saying they didn't argue - of course they did - but their marriage was solid - a fantastic example to emulate).

Dh and I are married 26 years, together 31 years and still link arms when we go for our regular walks around the local pond to feed the swans and ducks.

Shock horror

Would you like to join me and DH next time we go to the pub?!

Cringe. Performance handholding. I can't stand it.

These two people are working and holding hands. At least, I assume they are working. I suppose they could have just gotten all fancied up for a late night run to McD's, but my money is on working.

There are quite a few of other pics of them holding hands. Have a google.

I have the impression they do it for the media showing they are a strong and united couple. I can't imagine holding hands with my DH if I was working. It seems unprofessional somehow. However they all do it so maybe they have been advised to do so.