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

[BeaQuiet]

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.

'The disagreement is whether arriving in a plane and descending the steps counts as work'

Hmm. On a private holiday no that isn't work, so clasping hands getting off a plane fine though I've always managed without a handhold tbh. On an official visit that is work. It isn't rocket science .

Why would walking down plane steps with your wife be classed as work? That's a bit strange. Surely it is taking air travel to arrive somewhere ready for work.

Absolutely shocking. Should never happen

It’s not even logical. Unless you think being at work starts before you arrive at your workplace.

Checking out about partners attending NATO meetings, I did come across the delicious piece of information that the (male) Luxembourg's PM's husband was seated beside Victor Orban at the NATO state dinner in Spain

Someone was definitely trolling there

https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/30/luxembourg-same-sex-husband-seated-viktor-orban-nato-summit

I’m with you op. So unnecessary and baffling. Walk independently ffs.

YANBU

It beats Rishi striding in front with his wife shuffling behind with her shepherds crook.

If you're been filmed and featured on the news then yes.

If you're been filmed and featured on the news and the expectation is that you hold hands then yes.

See, how the "work" expectation can be flipped.

As a PP said, "Man holds wife's hand shocker"

Here's another horrific picture of the PM holding hands with his wife, when arriving in Rwanda for a Commonwealth Heads of State meeting Where was the confected outrage then?

Oh come on now, that was Boris. Don't you know he doesn't have to abide by any rules? even ones that don't actually exist

Plenty of people hold hands for both physical reassurance (anxiety / new situations) or because of balance / mobility issues.

I can manage without my mobility aids for short distances if I have a hand to hold for stability.

some people just like to feel close to their partner. I think it’s nice and also know it helps a lot of people to stay upright!

Oh i remember that now! Fabulous!

Of course everything’s different when it’s Boris, he who can do no wrong.

BIossomtoes · Today 20:27

Of course everything’s different when it’s Boris, he who can do no wrong.

Tbh, @Blossomtoes, I’m a bit worried about him, on an human level. He looked bloody awful when he was wheeled out last week. He’s ballooned and was massively red of face. I mean, he’s a cunt but a cunt with lots of children. It’s not their fault that he’s their dad so I hope he’s ok.

If he’s not OK it’s his own fault. If ever anyone was in a position to look after their health it’s him.

Well yes it is a work thing, the guy (like all previous PMs except Bo Jo) will never off duty, so holding hands like that isn’t a cardinal sin, besides it’s not like they’re in a cabinet meeting holding hands, they’re getting off a plane and it’s a photo op thing.

For all we know (like previous Pps have said) she could be nervous (thinking here of what Princess Masako went through), or dyspraxic or have a dodgy ankle or something and find a helping hand reassuring.

They seem a nice couple and holding hands isn’t the worst thing a PM has done…

He's brand new to the job. Maybe he finds the physical touch of his wife reassurring and supportive.

Yes it work. But it's not in any way comparable to a normal job.

I'm no Starmer fan, but holding his wife's hand is not something I can take issue with.

FFS- we now have a serious PM with a wife who has made the decision to largely stay in the back ground. Every time she does emerge there are several puff pieces in the media about what she is wearing, and now apparently holding hands with her husband is a massive faux pas. I would be more aggrieved if an unelected spouse was influencing the PM in his decision making......(mentioning no names).

Totally bemused that this is even an issue. The poor bloke has barely been pm 5 minutes.

He's human and entitled to hold his wife's hand if he wants.

It's a bit much. Holding his wife's hand, staying in the same hotel- bet they're sharing a suite - and spending Friday nights having dinner with his family. Who is this freak? This isn't the kind of behaviour we've come to expect from our politicians. What's going on?

I disagree with you. The only people I know to hold hands are in new relationships. I never see married couples do this.

Are you nuts?

I picture a MN thread where someone says her husband has recently took on a very high flying job involving international travel and meeting many important people. He doesn't want me to go with him. AIBU?
The cries of How dare he and LTB would ring loud. Boris was even dodging his own security team when he went off to Lebdevs villa. Surprised there hasn't been a report that the PM and his wife were seen laughing whilst eating Tofu and reading The Guardian. At our expense!

Why is she clapping? She isn't a seal. Why is she wearing those sunglasses? They look too big. Why can't she wear anything but pink? She looks too pink. Why can't she clap lower down? Is she trying to undermine her husband? Why is she even doing anything with her hands apart from occupational therapy? Why are we paying for her to do nothing with her hands when she should be using them to write patient notes at all times?

Imagine anyone else in a senior role bringing along their spouse. Presumably on expenses. Holding hands with them on the organisations publicity shots. Appearing to need the support of their spouse cos their nervous on in the new role?!

They all look pathetic. Boris. Biden. Trump. Doesn't matter who they are.