Not all prime ministerial partners have followed in Keir and Victoria Starmer’s footsteps
John Major, when he was chancellor, and his wife Norma, in 1990. In 1996, she told David Frost she regretted wearing her blue suit when they were photographed outside No 10 after her husband became PM.John Major, when he was chancellor, and his wife Norma, in 1990. In 1996, she told David Frost she regretted wearing her blue suit when they were photographed outside No 10 after her husband became PM.
The position of prime ministerial spouse surely has some upsides but those who have taken on the role on the postwar era have often found it torturous. In the media age, the issue of clothing and image has been a central cause of that discomfort. He was, unfortunately, in error on that point. The US president receives a salary of about £305,000 and a £38,000 expense allowance, but there is no specific clothing budget for presidents or their spouses.
The same might be said of Theresa May’s husband, Philip, and Liz Truss’s spouse, Hugh O’Leary – who barely had need to change his underwear during his wife’s short time in power. “It is not as if she wants to splash out, but she knows that unless she looks good, Lynda Lee-Potter will slag her off for looking frumpy,” a source said.
Gordon Brown’s wife, Sarah, came up with an ingenious ruse when faced with similar problems. “As I quickly discover, there is no shortage of designers and retailers who will offer you free clothes,” she recalled. “However, there are many rules that govern what MPs can do with free gifts – not to mention the moral aspect of using your position to grab freebies.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Inside Jeremy Clarkson’s pub in hit show where Keir Starmer is bannedOutspoken television and print journalist and pig lover Jeremy Clarkson has opened a pub in the English countryside and it was an instant hit with tourists.
Read more »
Keir Starmer ‘gets rid of’ 10 Downing Street’s Thatcher portraitPM’s biographer says portrait of predecessor commissioned by Gordon Brown no longer hangs in the Thatcher Room
Read more »
Keir Starmer to deliver speech on ‘rooting out years of rot’ left by ConservativesPrime minister to say ‘things will get worse before we get better’ as he sets out plans ahead of parliament’s return next week
Read more »
Keir had his holiday ruined so he’s ruined ours – by telling us everything’s hopelessWhen you’re told the country’s dying on its feet, it helps when the messenger has the demeanour of an undertaker
Read more »
Keir Starmer takes a political gamble with message of bad newsPast Labour PMs – Blair, Wilson, Attlee – have tended to arrive in power accentuating the positive
Read more »
Keir Starmer vows to ‘turn a corner on Brexit’ before Germany tripPM says trip is part of wider efforts to restore ‘broken relationships’ with EU countries
Read more »