Keir Starmer "not naming my children"

[Misthios]

Respect his stance not to allow pictures of his kids, fair enough, that is the decision he and his wife have made.

But the whole "i'm not publicly naming them" - you'd think as a former lawyer he'd know birth records are public record and anyone can find out in 30 seconds? So not the big secret he thinks it is?

He does know, obviously, however he is relying on the inherent laziness of the general population. I certainly don’t care enough to go and look it up, do you?

He does know that, but he’s setting out a clear principle of keeping his children out of public life altogether. So if they are named by the press then it will be a clear breach of privacy, morally reprehensible although not illegal. I think he’s being very wise given how other politician’s children have been spoken about in the media in the past before when they are nothing to do with their parent’s job.

Why do people care what his kids names are??

I wouldn't say I care enough, but it's what I do for a living and know it takes seconds. Especially with a relatively unusual surname. So it's not "we're keeping it private", it's "we're relying on the goodwill of the press not to disclose".

Good on him.

Of all the things he has done/is doing, this is the least of our worries 😩

And this affects you how?

Good for him, I really admire his stance on this. Hopefully it'll make it easier for others to do the same in the future. I really feel for the families of the candidates in the US being paraded as if they're candidates themselves.

Which is the case for lots of things. I used to be a journalist, and we knew a lot of stuff which we didn't print because of gentleman's agreements like this.

I think naming them in a way gives permission to the press/public to “own” them and comment on them.
Of course you can find out their names if you feel an overwhelming need to do so (WHY???), but he’s been clear they are not part of the conversation and that’s fair enough.

Well clearly it doesn't affect me at all. Just like 99.9% of all the other threads on Mumsnet.

What’s wrong with that? Happens all the time - I work with media. He’s just going above and beyond to make his position unequivocal rather than just relying on the relationship between his office and the press. It’s fairly standard, he’s just drawing a line in the public space. Can’t imagine the average person of the street caring about this at all. It’s also an additional safety measure on top of the personal security that his family are provided by virtue of his role.

I don’t even know how many kids he’s got.

most people are not that interested.

Can you? I haven't managed to find free digitised birth records that go beyond 1998, on https://www.freebmd.org.uk/

I thought you had to go to a record office for anything newer than that?

Pressing matter. Can't wait to look it up. Just need to finish watching this paint dry and I'll be on to it.

We never did for Boris either.

Slightly different circumstances, grant you...

Why does anyone need to know the names of starmers children?

Yes you can find it out but what a very odd thing to do.

He's stating he's not bringing his children into his career. They're not up for discussion. Seems like a good thing to me.

I think it’s a good thing & that’s he doesn’t wheel them out as part of his brand. And yes the info can be found but like most people I wouldn’t bother to look…

But why would you want to print names of kids in the first place? What does it matter?

@Ineffable23 - GRO Indexes are free to access and much more up to date. This is the official site where you could order copy birth certificates, death certificates etc.

I do respect his stance. I’m surprised by your statement that you could find birth registration information online in 30 seconds though? Is that really the case and where from? I didn’t think that stuff was accessible online 🤔

Who would have thought Boris was leading the way 😂

You didn't start 99.9% of the other threads that don't affect you though. You chose to start this one.

He is making a point the fact it is not possible is not what it's about it is not that difficult to understand