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.

Did you post when Johnson and Sunak did exactly the same?!
Drips!

It's Keir. Please get it right it s a 4 letter name of the most wet famous person in the UK the Starmer fangirls will inform you shortly.

I don't find it cringey at all
It shows they are a strong supportive partnership.

Yes - this is the husband of Luxembourg's male prime minister, in a picture with other spouses.

It’s more than work though. They’ll have had all the psychological advice telling them how to behave in public to maximise popularity and gain trust and favour with the British public. Every action, kiss, handhold etc will be planned and orchestrated.
I remember Thatcher’s husband was always standing and walking behind her. Clearly a different message back in the day!
I don’t have a problem either way if they hold hands or not but it’s all very telling and not accidental at all.

I've literally just said that I'd say the same if it was Sunak please read my post that you quoted.

Where's your complaint then about Sunak and wife holding hands as they left No 10 a couple of days ago? Or even as they entered? Or during the rallying for the GE? Or when he went to vote? Or on the way to Rememberance Sunday events?

Don't let the truth get in the way of your opinions, eh?

I also find it strange partners seem to be taken to this things when the priority should be progress, not optics.

That aside, I don't find it bothers me at all who holds hands and who doesn't.

Starmer looks like Eamon Andrews from "This is Your Life" clutching his big red book and a big grin.

Do you mean when they were off the plane? I haven’t seen any other footage of them holding hands. was it somewhere else?

I don't have a problem with it at all because they all do it. Well... apart from when Melania flicked Donald's hand away in the full public glare after all the Stormy Daniels stuff came out. That was quite funny.

My DH aren't hand holders at all, but I don't care if others are!

Is First Lady an elected position?

If we're claiming our PM's wife just going along to events with him is archaic and cringe and undemocratic since she's not elected, surely its even less acceptable that the Americans not only expect the same from their President's spouse but make it a formal job for her?

It’s really old-fashioned, isn’t it. This woman’s got her own mind in her own job.

I did not vote her into office.

Try some syrup to sweeten those grapes, janiie!

They aren't walking around Tesco bickering over what to have for tea, they are facing the world's press. Nothing wrong with holding hands at all.

My apologies, I didn't realise you had posted on the thread chastising Sunak for doing the same. I missed that.

@ButterCrackers the more I read your replies, the more convinced I get you're just jealous PM didn't take you on that trip instead 🤭

Tbf the Obamas didn't do it all the time. I agree M&H are cringey with it though. It seems forced.

Lots of people do, especially if out of their comfort zone, it's a kind of comfort and reassurance.

Who cares though, it's hardly a scandal.

I think it's nice too.. no cringing here

It's completely fine. Many of the leaders accompanied by partners hold hands. Nice way of supporting and reassuring each other, in my opinion.

Also, I'd add that in most cases, the other world leaders present wouldn't necessarily recognise the partners. Yeah, everyone would recognise Michelle Obama, but most of the leaders' partners, including Victoria Starmer, aren't famous faces. So holding hands is actually a tactful way of letting other people know that the person with them is their partner, rather than (eg) an aide or a interpreter, which avoids awkwardness.

So yeah, get a grip (on your partner's hand, perhaps).

I'll repeat. Holding hands when on official business is wet and silly. Whether you're a Tory, Labour, SNP or LibDem,. There's a time and a place and when representing your country it isn't it.

I'm not bothered about the hand holding but I do sometimes wonder why, when you're PM / President, your wife goes everywhere with you?? I don't know of any other job where this is the case or would be encouraged! Is it to project some sort of "family friendly" "morally decent" outlook??

Oh God The Sussexes take it to another level with all the back stroking and arm clasping.

I'm available if Victoria isn't free for the next one.