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.

grumpy Tory alert!

Oh look, Starmer’s holding Macron’s hand in one of those pictures. Is that “cringe”?

"clutching"

That would be odd.

Why do you think holding hands with a person means they're clutching each other?

I too think the fixation on handholding is strange, particularly given that the OP has never posted on Mumsnet under this user name before and oddly for someone politically left of centre has in the first sentence associated Starmer with other objects of right-wing vitriol - the Macrons, the Obamas and the Sussexes. No mention of the Johnsons, the Sunaks, Charles and Camilla, and all the other hand-holdy folk.

I completely agree with other posters that this is entirely politically motivated. I have been on Mumsnet for years and have never seen a post about handholding political leaders before.

And of course objectively Starmer does not look terrified, uncomfortable or as if he is about to wet himself. He looks like perfectly self-assured middle-aged man who has spent years speaking in public.

👏

Do you mean shaking his hand in greeting? No that isn't odd that is a sociatal norm. If they were partners and they were wandering about clasping hands like they were on date when actually on official business yes that would be cringe.

I've no idea why some folk are struggling to get it. Holding hands fine, not whilst carrying out a role in an official capacity though. And yes, once again same goes for Mr and Mrs Sunak etc etc.etc 💤💤

'No mention of the Johnsons, the Sunaks, Charles and Camilla, and all the other hand-holdy folk.'

There's been mention. Have you read the thread hun?

I've been impressed at how confident and self-assured he's appeared ever since he won the election

I agree. To me, just my humble opinion, he comes across relaxed but earnest, serious but unperturbed and not the slightest bit terrified. Not even an ounce. Given Labour has hit the ground running, I imagine a lot of work has gone into 'if we win, we will do this...' and it shows. Completely at ease with himself and his position.

I think it's sweet! But saying that, I'd never hold hands with my husband during a work event, seems a bit unprofessional to me.

I suppose if they didn't hold hands the press would rip into him about how their marriage is on the rocks because of the pressure or some sort of rubbish so he can't win!

Hope you enjoyed your G&T! I'll be joining you tonight 😅

The terror is entirely caused by Tory wishful thinking. They're used to bluster and aggression, so normal demeanour confuses them.

I can’t believe that anyone thinks that the new government is so fragile that a bit of chat on Mumsnet about handholding will start a domino effect that could undermine its popular support. I’d say it’s a mark of confidence in the new government that OP, a supporter, decided to mention the cringe factor in a lighthearted way. It must make life hard when you find yourself second-guessing everything anyone says and looking for political subterfuge round every corner. I imagine that actual Labour Party advisers would be much less bothered about this thread than some posters on it appear to be.

The reference you quote is about the original post. The OP only made reference to individuals who are targets of right-wing media and conveniently dumped the Starmers in there with them.

But in which ones does he look terrified please? He looks self assured and comfortable to me - an£ the other leaders look comfortable with him.

The post is about the OP. Have you read the post, hun?

Nobody said that. It’s part of a pattern, was the point. A drip, drip, drip from all sides which causes a lack of confidence in the government eventually.
Why so keen to talk the country (by way of its representative) down?

Where’s your evidence she’s a supporter? That she said so?

Eh? She hasn’t been hidden. She’s just not part of government so didn’t feature 8n campaigning. When they were seen together it was equally ‘lovey dovey’. Google the Taylor Swift concert for eg. I doubt there’s anyone who didn’t know she was Jewish.
This is quite a nasty post.

We have far more to worry about than him holding hands with her.

Oh, I agree. The Tories have nearly broken the country.

Alright, let me rephrase, since you are determined to argue that she is a lying antagonist: starting this type of thread is not necessarily inconsistent with being a supporter because it could be seen as the sort of thing that someone confident in the position of their chosen government would not worry about saying.

Exactly! So Labour are in a strong position.

We’re now splitting hairs about drip drip drip versus domino effect? Give me strength. He is not being talked down. “Cringey” is not the stuff of powerful political rhetoric.

He talked about his wife's heritage in interviews you...(can't say what I want to here!).