Page 26 | To wish Sir Keir and his wife would not hold hands when working

BeaQuiet · 2024-07-10T09:23:14+00:00

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.

MargoylesofBeelzebub · 10/07/2024 11:35

Longma · 10/07/2024 11:15

This is the second thread I've seen today commenting in them holding hands.
As I mentioned in the other thread. This is not unusual at all. See photos of many other country leaders with their partners, holding hands. Spans countries, ages, sexes and years.

Of these pics, I guess the more "cringey" ones are the ones that seem more performative. For example, Margaret and Denis T and the Obamas I think are very lovely pics. Keir's wife looks like she's holding the hand of an oversized toddler, same with Carrie & Boris.

The Donald Trump one gives me the creeps, he looks like he's gripping tightly onto a possession, rather than it being a gesture of partnership.

Yes, these are largely based on my assumptions and impressions of the individuals (e.g. I know Obama and Maggie T both seem/seemed very much in love with their partners), therefore I know they're not fair. But just adding my two pence to the discussion..!

ilovesooty · 10/07/2024 11:35

BustingBaoBun · 10/07/2024 11:11

I'm confused why KS is getting criticism for this when Sunak, Johnson, Major, Cameron, Obama, Biden, all have been filmed holding hands with their other half.
If it's wrong for Starmer, it's wrong for them too

Oh don't get in the way of a spot of Starmer bashing 😂

Whatevershallidowithmylife · 10/07/2024 11:35

Not my idea of professionalism I have to say however if it was me I would be holding onto DH for dear life I would be so nervous!

DGPP · 10/07/2024 11:34

It’s lovely!

Somepeoplearesnippy · 10/07/2024 11:32

I'm currently on a business trip with my DH. Quite a few people have bought their partners with them. The business part of their day can be quite intense and it helps the working delegates decompress in the evenings if they have someone they can relax and talk properly off the record with.

ilovesooty · 10/07/2024 11:32

namechangefandango · 10/07/2024 11:01

Sir kier 🙈 obviously it’s a tried and tested publicity tactic. Man of the people, happy marriage. Role model, blah blah
Politicians and people in the public eye don’t do anything by accident, even the bad things they get caught for.
smoke and mirrors

What a load of rubbish. I think there's every indication that the Starmers have a pretty solid marriage and he has no need to prove it to anyone.

pinkspeakers · 10/07/2024 11:29

Actually it is slightly odd now I think about it. But also very normal for such couples in these settings. I bet people would comment on it if they didn't hold hands!

TimeGoesBySoSlowlyForThoseWhoWait · 10/07/2024 11:28

See, I find the other way weird. The no holding hands rules for the royals and people lose their shit if they look at each other or out a hand on the back or hold hands on occasion. That’s proper cringy

Doteycat · 10/07/2024 11:27

Longma · 10/07/2024 11:23

Iceland had a gay prime minister, Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, I believe. Her partner is photographed alongside her during this time. They got married whilst she was prime minister under new laws.

Show quote history

Ireland had a gay Taoiseach, but his partner stayed in the background if i recall, i dont think we saw him much.

Longma · 10/07/2024 11:27

I agree. It feels like the woman is an accessory rather than a person in their own right.

It happens the other way round too. Male spouses accompany their partners if they are a country's leader.

Ukhotelsareshit · 10/07/2024 11:26

I cannot imagine how bloody awful this type of publicity is, for any of the partners. You can’t do right for doing wrong. You are wearing too cheap/too expensive clothing, if you hold hands it’s icky, if you don’t, you are clearly about to divorce. Your career, how you raise your family, your own family of origin, how much you earn, every single thing you say, your posture and facial expressions, what you are worth is all up for analysis and discussion and the job isn’t even yours!!! Fair play to all the partners because I wouldn’t do this in a million years or for 20 million pounds.

Duckyfondant · 10/07/2024 11:25

bergamotorange · 10/07/2024 10:55

This is a projection and is about your emotional behaviour, not theirs.

Show quote history

Not at all. I don't think this career in armchair psychology will work out for you.

The partners are people in their own right. And should not be dragged out for photo opportunities. They're not the people we vote for.

Mukirinessly · 10/07/2024 11:25

ButterCrackers · 10/07/2024 10:24

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

I agree. It feels like the woman is an accessory rather than a person in their own right.

TheTecknician · 10/07/2024 11:25

An awful lot of people on MN ask for a 'handhold', don't they? Why should Mr and Mrs PM (or Sir and Lady) be any different?

ClonedSquare · 10/07/2024 11:24

MeouwCat · 10/07/2024 11:19

Are there any gay world leaders? Do they take their partners with them. Just a thought.

Leo Varadkar, the former Irish Taoiseach, is gay and his partner has attended events with him. The first results when you search are them meeting Kamala Harris and her husband on a trip to Washington.

Longma · 10/07/2024 11:23

MeouwCat · 10/07/2024 11:19

Are there any gay world leaders? Do they take their partners with them. Just a thought.

Iceland had a gay prime minister, Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, I believe. Her partner is photographed alongside her during this time. They got married whilst she was prime minister under new laws.

BIWI · 10/07/2024 11:23

LOL @ApplesOrangesBananas - keep going!

PidgeonLife · 10/07/2024 11:22

He’s walking to an event holding his wife’s hand, such a none issue, I’ve held dh hand going into work things, he’s held mine and ice seen tonnes of couples doing the same

ruethewhirl · 10/07/2024 11:22

Blimey, unclench!

BIossomtoes · 10/07/2024 11:20

Talking of PDAs

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

ApplesOrangesBananas · 10/07/2024 11:20

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

You do realise he won by default because people wanted the Tories out? Yes keep calling people thick… people with a low IQ tend to throw insults because they’re incapable of forming a rational argument. 👏

MeouwCat · 10/07/2024 11:19

Are there any gay world leaders? Do they take their partners with them. Just a thought.

BustingBaoBun · 10/07/2024 11:18

Longma · 10/07/2024 11:15

This is the second thread I've seen today commenting in them holding hands.
As I mentioned in the other thread. This is not unusual at all. See photos of many other country leaders with their partners, holding hands. Spans countries, ages, sexes and years.

Ahhhh... but KS has to be criticised because... ummm.... Labour won.

MrHarleyQuin · 10/07/2024 11:18

Longma · 10/07/2024 11:15

This is the second thread I've seen today commenting in them holding hands.
As I mentioned in the other thread. This is not unusual at all. See photos of many other country leaders with their partners, holding hands. Spans countries, ages, sexes and years.

Look at how awkward Trump is. Looks like he just picked up a dog turd with his bare hands instead of holding his wife's hand. Perhaps it makes his alien lizard skin hot and uncomfortable.

MorvernBlack · 10/07/2024 11:18

AutismHelp1980 · 10/07/2024 10:29

I bet his wife thinks she’s in some parallel universe! I know I would, one day working in the NHS the next meeting fellow puppets of the most powerful
people in the world! I mean who really runs the world?!

It must be a bit mind blowing, especially as she seems to stay very much in the background.

I've no issue with the hand holding, it's nice, they seem close. I occasionally hold DH's hand and I'm definitely not the touchy feely type.