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

like the Macrons, the Obamas

So they aren't acting in a way that is different to those around them in similar situations?

I probably wouldn't, but it doesn't sound like it's unusual.

Totally agree it’s unprofessional.

every photo they are kissing or holding hands, I find it icky tbh.
he holds her hand like he is helping a child. Not that he has much credibility but it damages it further

You must have hated it when Boris had his girlfriend plastering downing street with gold leaf using party donor funds

Oh honestly.

Everyone who works in the NHS can ask for unpaid leave for a whole range of reasons, this is normal. The election date has been known for ages, she probably booked leave in anticipation of both a win or a loss.

Better than having his hand on her arse, Trump style

Well that's allowed by the rules though, isn't it.

Tories do something = no problem.
Labour do the same = fucking end of the fucking world.

You need to remember that Labour are - I can hardly bring myself to type it - common and vulgar working class sorts. They simply can't be allowed to have ideas above their station. Goodness knows where it will end.

Sorry, I slipped into a trance and was channelling the joint Mail and Telegraph steering committee. It won't happen again.

Partners of leaders are expected to attend these big diplomatic events - it's just the convention. Must be tiresome, I am sure the last thing she wants to be doing right now it putting on a pretty frock, plastering on a smile and making small talk with other political spouses - but there you go - the world seems to like to see their leaders have supportive partners.

Its a safe way to walk with your spouse that avoids a lot of potential criticism and conjecture should you otherwise accidentally walk ahead of them or fall behind them. Imagine Macron snapped momentarily trailing behind Brigitte, they'd have a field day. The media loves to use the body language of high profile couples to fuel often negative speculation which distracts from the important matters.

I don't suppose Victoria eats very much anyway.

I find it cringey too. Perfomative

Honestly? I hadn't even noticed. Isn't holding hands just kind of a normal thing (says the woman whose ex husband didn't even kiss her for 10 years let alone shag her)? I don't mind it at all. I like a handhold. It reminds me that love is still out there and worth it (even if I never know it again). And it's a supportive gesture.

She wasn't there on any of his campaigning. We get fed that she is very much an ordinary NHS working wife who gets time off and wears very expensive clothing---- 🤷‍♀️

Rishi Sunak and his wife walked away hand in hand after he formally conceded defeat outside Number 10. I thought it was rather sweet.

I wonder what Boris is up to these hours ?

It’s holding hands, not a blow job on the sofa in the Foreign Office!

They held hands not genitals, its entirely appropriate and quite nice

She's na part time occupational therapist, yes.

I also suspect she can take unpaid leave when her husband has just become the PM and is off to address NATO.

It's probably been in planning since the election date was announced in May. You might find she's taking a few months off. And why not - they can afford it and she gets to participate in some pretty eventful times with her husband!

My first thought was it's better (and probably cheaper - and we know how important that is to some MNetters) for security reasons to have them together where possible than him in one place and her another.

You can bet your life that the same posters whining here while the coffee machine brews would have equally loud views had something happened to Lady Starmer while the PM was away. For all the nice chap theatre of yesterday there are still nutters among us who wish us ill - grave ill. And the family of the PM are going to be forever targets in that.

If such a look endears a raving communist to his American hosts, then it's a happy side-effect. Probably a little bit over the top to appear brandishing an assault rifle, ammo belt, and shouting "Yee haw", although that would probably break Fox News.

The wives are expected to go. The host wife usually shows the other wives around. There are also official dinners.🤷‍♀️

Doesn't bother me in the slightest. I'm glad to see happily married people showing this very love level affection.

Very much agree. I want to hear from the people I've elected, not the people they're sleeping with. Why would I?!

I pointed out to DH the other day that neither of us could ever become Prime Minister as we never hold hands and it seems to be a requirement of the job.

It would be good to see the new PM saying that he can function in his job without his partner there. Doesn’t she have a job in the NHS? Does he go to work with her? How did she get the time off just like that? Any appointments cancelled?

I also think it's a bit weird, but maybe it gives them both comfort and reassurance? It must be very strange to be suddenly thrust onto the world stage and have to face loads of photographers and so on.

YABU. I think it’s quite normal on an international stage.