Page 5 | How does Kier Starmer do it?!

sausageupanalley · 2025-03-02T09:35:15+00:00

I am a similar age to him and am constantly knackered and am just utterly impressed by how the politicians such as Kier Starmer do it?! Just looking at his last few days, on Weds/Thurs he flew to America and back for possibly one of the most important meetings there has been for the UK in a very long time. Then he flies back and meets Zelensky on Saturday which after what happened in the oval office was also an unbelievably diplomatically sensitive meeting. Then today he's just been on the Laura Kunsberg show and has left and is about to go and meet/host a meeting for European leaders! He must be having to hold all sorts of other high level diplomatic discussions in between as well as keeping up to date on other briefings and then not to mention getting some sleep, if possible with all that going on and trying to see his family too. I have so much respect for it as it must be unbelievably stressful and tiring. I know your legacy would be part of history but they don't get paid that much, just wondering how on earth they do it!

CarmelaBrunella · 02/03/2025 12:41

soundsys · 02/03/2025 12:39

We were just saying watching him on the BBC this morning how glad we are that he's PM at the moment and not any of the recent numpties! (Even my mum who is a Tory agreed!)

He did look knackered though!

Dear god. Imagine if it was Truss or Johnson, or that fool Cameron.

soundsys · 02/03/2025 12:39

We were just saying watching him on the BBC this morning how glad we are that he's PM at the moment and not any of the recent numpties! (Even my mum who is a Tory agreed!)

He did look knackered though!

Onlyonekenobe · 02/03/2025 12:35

lol at comparing the PM's absence of housekeeping/parenting mental load as equal to the mental load of the future of Europe's military security and the UK's trade relations with the US post-Brexit 😂. I'd be quite happy to sort out his washing and grocery shopping if he can sort out my DC not being conscripted and a brighter economic future for us all 👍🏼

In reply to OP's question, I think like many of us at times in our lives when you wonder how much more you can take, you just do it when you have no choice. It's adrenaline, absolute discipline with time management, a solid support structure at work and at home. I think that can sustain a person for months at a time. Having a positive press and knowing the nation is largely behind you probably means not just one less fire to fight but also a better disposition and swimming with the tide rather than against. Helps conserve energy for the battles that truly matter ie Trump.

ParrotParty · 02/03/2025 12:35

Gastheif · 02/03/2025 12:00

Absolutely hate to say it because I admire him greatly and hated to see him treated as he was but I couldn’t help but wonder if VZ was on something. I watched it back and he is doing a lot of sniffing up and did seem a little hyper 😬

Sniffing or other repetitive actions are common in stressful situations, as are rapid/tense movements.

upinaballoon · 02/03/2025 12:32

'English is his third language. He was ambushed by arrogant bullies........'

I thought that the 'playing your cards' idiom was probably confusing for him.

I also thought 'What a pair of shit-heaps.'

No, this isn't a deeply intellectual post.

OneZippyWasp · 02/03/2025 12:19

Gastheif · 02/03/2025 12:00

Absolutely hate to say it because I admire him greatly and hated to see him treated as he was but I couldn’t help but wonder if VZ was on something. I watched it back and he is doing a lot of sniffing up and did seem a little hyper 😬

Don’t be ridiculous.

WhiteHouseinaRedSquare · 02/03/2025 12:16

Gastheif · 02/03/2025 12:00

Absolutely hate to say it because I admire him greatly and hated to see him treated as he was but I couldn’t help but wonder if VZ was on something. I watched it back and he is doing a lot of sniffing up and did seem a little hyper 😬

Zelensky being a coke head is one of the slurs flung around by Putin fans. You'll be on about Florida mansions next.

upinaballoon · 02/03/2025 12:16

Zonder · 02/03/2025 10:44

I think this is why a stint as PM ages a person so much. Look at Blair from the beginning to the end of his time in office.

Exactly. Whether you like them or not, whether you voted for that party or not, the job takes its toll on them.

BIossomtoes · 02/03/2025 12:12

TheNuthatch · 02/03/2025 12:07

I've heard political journalists explain that all PMs do more in a day than the rest of us accomplish in a week. This is why they need helicopters.

I’ve heard that too. And that the press pack is utterly exhausted just trying to keep up.

TheNuthatch · 02/03/2025 12:07

I've heard political journalists explain that all PMs do more in a day than the rest of us accomplish in a week. This is why they need helicopters.

CarmelaBrunella · 02/03/2025 12:02

Gastheif · 02/03/2025 12:00

Absolutely hate to say it because I admire him greatly and hated to see him treated as he was but I couldn’t help but wonder if VZ was on something. I watched it back and he is doing a lot of sniffing up and did seem a little hyper 😬

What?!
I think his facial ticks were probably in response to the situation that he was in. English is his 3rd language. He was ambushed by arrogant bullies, in front of the world's media.

Gastheif · 02/03/2025 12:00

Absolutely hate to say it because I admire him greatly and hated to see him treated as he was but I couldn’t help but wonder if VZ was on something. I watched it back and he is doing a lot of sniffing up and did seem a little hyper 😬

ThatsNotMyTeen · 02/03/2025 11:58

cheezncrackers · 02/03/2025 11:51

Look at these photos of presidents before and after office - that's what several years of high level politics does to a person.

www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/career/g3918/presidents-before-and-after-office/

Edited

Most of them just look a bit older

ButterCrackers · 02/03/2025 11:57

No caring duties and everything done for him. He’s not up all night looking after kids, seniors, others needing 24/7 care. He doesn’t have to shop, cook, clear up, drive his family around etc. He has enough cash to not be living day to day. His travel is all organised with comfort - he’s not in a queue for hours, he can sleep on the plane. All the luxuries that give him time and energy.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 02/03/2025 11:57

SalfordQuays · 02/03/2025 10:41

Exactly.
He’s told where he has to be and he’s taken there. He doesn’t have to check AA route planner first, figure out what time to set off, and pack a bag.

He has zero mental load regarding domestic chores. He’ll have numerous PAs who manage his diary. All he has to do is wash, dress and feed himself - using toiletries bought by someone else, clothes washed and ironed by someone else, and food bought/prepared by someone else.

I’m not saying it’s an easy life because it certainly isn’t, but in terms of being busy, I don’t think it’s any harder than a basic working mum. Just take a moment and think of how much of your time is spent just running the home and keeping everyone warm/fed/dressed/safe/educated/happy. Now imagine all of that is done by someone else!

Show quote history

I'm sorry, but that's ridiculous. Having been a FT working mum in a very demanding role with a DH that travelled overseas for extended periods, I'm used to being incredibly busy, but it's laughable to suggest that it's comparable to juggling what the PM has to juggle.

Yes, he no doubt has the practical aspects of his life taken care of, but do you not think that running a country and navigating your way through an international crisis might be a tad more demanding than making sure you've done the online shop and that your dc have clean clothes for school? FFS!

ThatsNotMyTeen · 02/03/2025 11:55

StepawayfromtheLindors · 02/03/2025 10:14

Because he doesn’t have to iron his suits, make his own cup of tea, take the garden waste to the tip, fix a broken window, drive in rush hour to take kids to activities, find something he has mislaid, call a plumber, sit listening on hold to his energy company for 25 minutes, change a nappy, go to ikea, drive himself home after a red eye flight from America………….

This.

I mean I can’t even imagine the magnitude of the job but I’m sure he doesn’t have to empty and fill the dishwasher, do the hoovering and laundry, sort out packed lunches, scrub the toilet, as well!

nahthatsnotforme · 02/03/2025 11:54

Because he does bugger all else. He won't be travelled cattle class either.

CarmelaBrunella · 02/03/2025 11:53

I also think that some people are incredibly effective at using time and planning well, plus have good health and no sleep issues.

Morerollthanrock · 02/03/2025 11:52

Surely the fact he’s a man (no hormones, less family mental load, focus-back to hormones etc) would be a huge factor in his gusto.

Hes also very wealthy so when he gets to switch off he does so in luxury (great food, expensive therapy, expensive breaks away),

When he travels it’ll be on/off planes, trains and automobiles so no long queues like us peasants 😅

He’s largely looked after, won’t even have to make his own brew. I admire anyone that can dedicate that much time and energy into their work, however, he has another world supporting him.

cheezncrackers · 02/03/2025 11:51

Look at these photos of presidents before and after office - that's what several years of high level politics does to a person.

www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/career/g3918/presidents-before-and-after-office/

sillybillydh · 02/03/2025 11:51

Movinghouseatlast · 02/03/2025 11:33

What we have is a good man.leading this country, a man with morals and compassion and a real desire to do good. It's been a while...

I agree, he must be exhausted. Just because he doesn't have to pack his own bag or put the bins out doesn't mean he doesn't suffer jet lag. You can sleep 8 hours on a plane and still have it. All the putting g the bins put time is spent being briefed, having meetings, planning strategy.

If he had a holiday he'd probably be criticised for it being the 'wrong' holiday too.

I agree with this completely.

CheshireCat1 · 02/03/2025 11:51

Meanwhile, Trump and Vance are taking timeout golfing and skiing to recharge their batteries.

OneZippyWasp · 02/03/2025 11:50

TodayIsTheGreatest · 02/03/2025 09:46

I always wonder things like that. No idea. Also the massive amounts of behind the scenes prep and reading to do. When do they sleep? get ill? Spend time with their kids?

I thought that as well about the awful footage of Zelensky being turned on by Trump and Vance in the Oval Office, disgusting bullying and completely undemocratic behaviour. How on earth Zelensky didn’t just burst into tears I have no idea. I would have.

Imagine having a war waged on you for three years and your people kids and families being killed, and then those two not letting you speak while they accuse you of inviting WW3?

Agree totally. He must be absolutely exhausted and it must have taken a lot of strength to sit there and be verbally attacked by Trump and his sidekick and not retaliate with a few home truths. He handled it well and was very dignified. I have nothing but total admiration and respect for Zelensky. He is a fine example of a true leader!

sillybillydh · 02/03/2025 11:49

StepawayfromtheLindors · 02/03/2025 10:14

Because he doesn’t have to iron his suits, make his own cup of tea, take the garden waste to the tip, fix a broken window, drive in rush hour to take kids to activities, find something he has mislaid, call a plumber, sit listening on hold to his energy company for 25 minutes, change a nappy, go to ikea, drive himself home after a red eye flight from America………….

I think he's allowed to let other people do those kind of things for him, he's got far more important things to be spending his time on...

Anonym00se · 02/03/2025 11:48

All PMs look like they’ve aged 20 years after a 5 year stint. It’s easy to see why.