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.

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.

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.

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.

Better than having his hand on her arse, Trump style

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.

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

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

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.

This is a projection and is about your emotional behaviour, not theirs.

Having partners helps people judge the character of the leader, presents them within a broader context as a rounded person not just a jobster.

Also partners and spouses do touchy feely stuff meeting kids etc which generates loads of positive pr

@ButterCrackers What extra expenses do you think her being there incurs? A couple of extra meals during the trip is all I can think of, hardly milking the taxpayer.

I imagine Lady Starmers value to the NHS has increased a few hundredfold compared to previously.

(But I have an imagination).

If I were he boss, and she asked "I know it's unusual, but could I have a possible 5 years sabbatical to spend every single day with the most powerful man in the country", the answer would not be "No. You're fired". It would be "go for it kiddo, and don't forget to mention the NHS at every opportunity".

I feel like couples that do this are over compensating for something… a bit like those “happy” couples that plaster their entire relationship over social media only to break up a week later.

It shows solidarity, I like it.

I don’t know exactly- security, plane ticket, other travel, hotel, extra security in the foreign country?

It's probably a natural support mechanism - it's stressful for both of them - his first big international meeting and she's less keen on limelight than some political spouses.

It's lovely not sure why it's cringey.

Where was she bashing them - she listed them as hand holders along with the Obamas and the Macrons.

As much as I hate, loathe and despite Keir Starmer, I don't think holding hands is any kind of an issue.

The Sussexes are different as she has him in a controlling grip rather than any kind of romantic gesture.

You are projecting such negativity onto people who are just as likely to be happy as couples who don't hold hands.

Yanbu! Cringe-tastic, all of them!

I find it utterly distracting and irritating, I don't give a toss if that's a "me" problem, I can live with that.

Or, they might actually like each other. Happy marriages do exist, though not everybody gets one.

why on earth would you say that? she doesn’t look particularly skinny to me?

Sir kier 🙈 obviously it’s a tried and tested publicity tactic. Man of the people, happy marriage. Role model, blah blah
Politicians and people in the public eye don’t do anything by accident, even the bad things they get caught for.
smoke and mirrors

Bearing in mind Boris took Carrie everywhere, I don 't think criticism holds.