Embattled Keir Starmer heads to Madeira on first household vacation since turning into PM… after delaying journey following brother’s demise
Keir Starmer has joined his family in Madeira on his first holiday since becoming PM.
The premier is away for a ‘few days’ with wife Victoria and their children after a turbulent start to his time in Downing Street.
Sir Keir delayed his departure following the death of his brother Nick, who had been suffering from cancer, on Boxing Day.
But it is understood he travelled on a commercial flight on Saturday.
The Madeira Island News website reported that ‘the trip was made discreetly, and he has brought his own security with him’.
No10 stressed that Sir Keir remains in charge while abroad, and has not handed the reins to Angela Rayner.
Sir Keir cancelled a European summer holiday planned for August after rioting broke out in the UK and tensions escalated in the Middle East.
Keir Starmer is away for a ‘few days’ with wife Victoria and their children after a turbulent start to his time in Downing Street
The Madeira Island News website reported that ‘the trip was made discreetly, and he has brought his own security with him’
The premier has faced a bruising start to his premiership, seeing his personal ratings and Labour’s poll standing nosedive.
Before Christmas friends told the Mail on Sunday that Sir Keir is desperate for a break and ‘needs a lot of soothing and a lot of buoying up at the moment’.
One said: ‘He talks a good game about needing to take the unpopular decisions now, and expecting this resistance, but I don’t think he realised quite how unpopular they – or he – would be.’
No10 insists the PM’s morale is high and he is focused on the job.
But Labour’s struggle to grip the agenda despite a majority of 165 seats has raised questions about whether Sir Keir will even last the full electoral term.
One senior Downing Street official said: ‘Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair managed to last a decade, but they were in a different league – and the world was a different place.’
Sir Keir delayed his departure following the death of his brother Nick (pictured), who had been suffering from cancer, on Boxing Day
