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Original poster

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

758 replies

BeaQuiet · 10/07/2024 10:23

They've arrived in Washington DC on official business clutching hands like the Macrons, the Obamas and the Sussexes.

AiBU to find it a bit cringey?

And before anyone asks, yes I do have bigger things to worry about but I fancy a chat.

OP posts:
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AddieLoggins2 · 10/07/2024 12:08

I guess it also helps to tell the story through that picture. We know who she is, but if an image of them both leaving the plane hand in hand is shown in the foreign press under headline 'UK Prime Minister arrives at NATO Summit' everyone instantly knows - there's the UK PM and his wife. She's not the Deputy PM, or the Foreign Secretary, or an aide or whatever.

Whether spouses should be there or not, is a separate issue (personally I think it's a bit odd in this day and age, but that's not on Starmer. They all need to agree no spouses).

OverheardInLidl · 10/07/2024 12:08

Eastcoastie · 10/07/2024 12:02

I agree, its unnecessary. If someone came into my work with their other half hand in hand, id think they were a bit odd. I dont understand why partners get involved at all.

I'm showing my age a bit here 😁but does anyone remember a TV series called Hart to Hart? It starred Stefanie Powers and Robert Wagner as a married couple working as detectives? Anyway, that's what comes to mind whenever I see these couples who work together and go everywhere hand in hand 😆

Thisoldheartofmine · 10/07/2024 12:07

@BeaQuiet just wanted to say thanks for the thread.
I too have other things to think about but happy to talk about this. Need the distraction while plumber is here and I can't get on with anything .
TBH,I wasn't sure if I was being a bit shallow ,thinking it looked a little twee.
And I do think it's odd for her to be dragged along.

Janiie · 10/07/2024 12:06

Eastcoastie · 10/07/2024 12:02

I agree, its unnecessary. If someone came into my work with their other half hand in hand, id think they were a bit odd. I dont understand why partners get involved at all.

Imagine you pop to see your MP for a meeting and he/she waltzes in with their wife/husband clasping their hand. You'd go wtf wouldn't you.

Bettergetthebunker · 10/07/2024 12:05

ButterCrackers · 10/07/2024 10:24

Why are the partners there? It’s always struck me as unnecessary.

I disagree. They all end up moving into Downing Street don’t they?

MargoylesofBeelzebub · 10/07/2024 12:04

Windchiming · 10/07/2024 11:43

They know they can't find scandals to criticise, so athey need to find faults with hand holding. Another poster thinks Obamas look lovely kier and wife look like giant toddler with mum 🙄

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Haha, yes I did say that (I mean in the pic that was shared, he does!) - I also said it about BoJo. Why aren't you backing him up?

Could it be that you are showing more political bias than me, whilst simultaneously criticising me for being "anti-Keir"..? 😛

MartyFunkhouser · 10/07/2024 12:03

I think it’s a bit daft. Also, why is she even there other than to hang of his arm. She has her own job.

Eastcoastie · 10/07/2024 12:02

I agree, its unnecessary. If someone came into my work with their other half hand in hand, id think they were a bit odd. I dont understand why partners get involved at all.

Janiie · 10/07/2024 12:02

mbonfield · 10/07/2024 11:51

Starmer looks like Eamon Andrews from "This is Your Life" clutching his big red book and a big grin.

Grin
AtomicPumpkin · 10/07/2024 12:01

FluentRubyDog · 10/07/2024 11:56

@ButterCrackers the more I read your replies, the more convinced I get you're just jealous PM didn't take you on that trip instead 🤭

I'm available if Victoria isn't free for the next one.

Janiie · 10/07/2024 12:01

OverheardInLidl · 10/07/2024 11:56

Tbf the Obamas didn't do it all the time. I agree M&H are cringey with it though. It seems forced.

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Oh God The Sussexes take it to another level with all the back stroking and arm clasping.

Starlight1979 · 10/07/2024 12:00

I'm not bothered about the hand holding but I do sometimes wonder why, when you're PM / President, your wife goes everywhere with you?? I don't know of any other job where this is the case or would be encouraged! Is it to project some sort of "family friendly" "morally decent" outlook??

Janiie · 10/07/2024 11:59

BustingBaoBun · 10/07/2024 11:54

My apologies, I didn't realise you had posted on the thread chastising Sunak for doing the same. I missed that.

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I'll repeat. Holding hands when on official business is wet and silly. Whether you're a Tory, Labour, SNP or LibDem,. There's a time and a place and when representing your country it isn't it.

KreedKafer · 10/07/2024 11:59

It's completely fine. Many of the leaders accompanied by partners hold hands. Nice way of supporting and reassuring each other, in my opinion.

Also, I'd add that in most cases, the other world leaders present wouldn't necessarily recognise the partners. Yeah, everyone would recognise Michelle Obama, but most of the leaders' partners, including Victoria Starmer, aren't famous faces. So holding hands is actually a tactful way of letting other people know that the person with them is their partner, rather than (eg) an aide or a interpreter, which avoids awkwardness.

So yeah, get a grip (on your partner's hand, perhaps).

SnowFrogJelly · 10/07/2024 11:58

I think it's nice too.. no cringing here

CandiedPrincess · 10/07/2024 11:57

Codlingmoths · 10/07/2024 11:40

I suppose if my husbands work involved me being any kind of first wife, then I’d happily hold hands. Think of it as the work dinner with partners invited- would you really not hold your husbands hand arriving? I would.

Lots of people do, especially if out of their comfort zone, it's a kind of comfort and reassurance.

Who cares though, it's hardly a scandal.

OverheardInLidl · 10/07/2024 11:56

BeaQuiet · 10/07/2024 10:23

They've arrived in Washington DC on official business clutching hands like the Macrons, the Obamas and the Sussexes.

AiBU to find it a bit cringey?

And before anyone asks, yes I do have bigger things to worry about but I fancy a chat.

Tbf the Obamas didn't do it all the time. I agree M&H are cringey with it though. It seems forced.

FluentRubyDog · 10/07/2024 11:56

@ButterCrackers the more I read your replies, the more convinced I get you're just jealous PM didn't take you on that trip instead 🤭

BustingBaoBun · 10/07/2024 11:54

Janiie · 10/07/2024 11:50

I've literally just said that I'd say the same if it was Sunak please read my post that you quoted.

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My apologies, I didn't realise you had posted on the thread chastising Sunak for doing the same. I missed that.

IClaudine · 10/07/2024 11:52

Janiie · 10/07/2024 11:45

It just looks ridiculous. I manage to walk around Tesco without grabbing my husband's hand every 5minutes, what is wrong with these people that they need to constantly hold their dp's hand.

And no I'm not 'bitter', I'd say the same if it were Sunak and his dw. Hold hands when going for a nice stroll not when representing the country on official business. Drips.

Try some syrup to sweeten those grapes, janiie!

They aren't walking around Tesco bickering over what to have for tea, they are facing the world's press. Nothing wrong with holding hands at all.

Passay · 10/07/2024 11:52

It’s really old-fashioned, isn’t it. This woman’s got her own mind in her own job.

I did not vote her into office.

ClonedSquare · 10/07/2024 11:52

greenpolarbear · 10/07/2024 11:46

I think it's fine for the Sussexes and Obamas, they are both there with official roles. With Keir + wife she's the plus one, no title or role, nothing to do with anything. So it's a bit weird for situations that aren't a couple affair.

I imagine it's a PR thing more than anything, they know he has the charisma of an off-brand still water bottle so they're trying to add some interest.

Edited

Is First Lady an elected position?

If we're claiming our PM's wife just going along to events with him is archaic and cringe and undemocratic since she's not elected, surely its even less acceptable that the Americans not only expect the same from their President's spouse but make it a formal job for her?

BustingBaoBun · 10/07/2024 11:51

I don't have a problem with it at all because they all do it. Well... apart from when Melania flicked Donald's hand away in the full public glare after all the Stormy Daniels stuff came out. That was quite funny.

My DH aren't hand holders at all, but I don't care if others are!

pizzaHeart · 10/07/2024 11:51

Do you mean when they were off the plane? I haven’t seen any other footage of them holding hands. was it somewhere else?

mbonfield · 10/07/2024 11:51

Starmer looks like Eamon Andrews from "This is Your Life" clutching his big red book and a big grin.

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