In a revealing interview, Labour Party leader Keir Starmer discussed his family life, including his wife Victoria's Jewish background and their approach to parenting, as he campaigns for the upcoming election.
When asked about his children's religious identity, Starmer was cautious. "No, no, they're not Jewish for reasons I won't bore you with. Bernard's dad's family didn't accept that," he explained, waving off further discussion on the topic.
Starmer, who is poised to become the next British prime minister if Labour wins in a landslide as expected, shared insights into his personal life with The Guardian. He described how he and his wife Victoria, who works in occupational health in the NHS, occasionally attend a liberal synagogue and maintain Jewish traditions at home.
"Pretty much every week there's a challah and we say kiddush with Bernard, or sometimes with Victoria's sister on Zoom," Starmer said, referring to his father-in-law. He emphasized the importance of their Jewish heritage, especially for their children. "We're very keen for the children to know about it, to understand it. Half of the family are Jewish, they're either here or in Israel."
However, when asked about his children's religious identity, Starmer was cautious. "No, no, they're not Jewish for reasons I won't bore you with. Bernard's dad's family didn't accept that," he explained, waving off further discussion on the topic.
The Labour leader also spoke about his parenting philosophy, developed with Victoria when their children were born. "We settled on 'happy and confident'. And that's always what we're asking ourselves: Are they happy? Are they confident?" Starmer said. He stressed their focus on allowing their children to develop naturally rather than pushing them in specific directions.
Addressing the potential of moving into 10 Downing Street if Labour wins the election, Starmer remained cautious. "Wherever we will live, we'll live together as family, of course. And that will be Downing Street if we get it over the line. But Vic and I are very much taking things as they come," he stated.
