Keir Starmer’s emotional video to son as he opens up on strained relationship with personal dad
The Prime Minister described his pain at his struggles to connect with his own father but said he had always been determined that his bond with own son ‘was going to be different’
Keir Starmer shares a letter written to his son
Keir Starmer has penned a poignant letter to his son to mark International Men’s Day.
In a video on Instagram, the Prime Minister read out the moving letter where he spoke of his pride in his 17-year-old. He said it only felt like “yesterday” he and his wife Vic brought their newborn home – and that now he’d grown up into “a confident, kind, wonderful young man”.
The Prime Minister described his pain at his struggles to connect with his own father but said he had always been determined that his bond with own son “was going to be different”. He said spending time with his son is one of the highlights of his week, “whether it’s a takeaway or going to watch Arsenal”.
Mr Starmer also acknowledged the challenges of growing up as a teen in today’s world, with pressures and questions about “mental health, masculinity and social media“. He admitted the “huge sacrifices” his family has to make because he is Prime Minister, but that he does the job because he wants “the world for tomorrow’s generation to be better”.
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In his video letter posted, Mr Starmer tells his son, who he has not publicly named: “It feels like only yesterday that we brought you home, so nervous but so excited for the journey ahead. Today, almost unbelievably, you’re already 17. You’re taller than I am and you’ve grown into a confident, kind, wonderful young man, and I’m so proud of you.
“I didn’t have a very close relationship with my own dad. When my mum, your grandma Jo, was sick, and she was very sick, he cared for her devotedly, but he and I never really spoke, we never really got to know each other. I was determined that my relationship with you was going to be different and spending time with you is one of the highlights of my week, whether it’s a takeaway or going to watch Arsenal.”
The Prime Minister also talked about the difficulties facing young men. “I do know it’s not easy growing up in this day and age,” he said.
“I know there are pressures on young men that are difficult to talk about and questions that, frankly, are difficult to answer. Questions about mental health, masculinity, social media. I remember when we watched Adolescence together and as a dad it was tough to see at times.
“But if there is one hope I have it’s that we keep talking, keep learning from each other, keep helping each other. The reason I do the job I do – and I know that means huge sacrifices for you, for your sister and your mum – is because I want the world for tomorrow’s generation to be better.”
In an inspiring message to the younger generation, Mr Starmer ended the clip: “When I was younger, I often had a voice in the back of my head that told me I wasn’t good enough or right for certain things. If I have one message for you and for every other child growing up, it will be this: Don’t listen to that voice.
“Every young person has something to offer and I want to make sure every child realises their dreams, so your generation has the future that it deserves. You and your sister are my pride and joy. Love Dad.”
It comes as a new Government strategy for men’s health is being launched to tackle issues such as suicide, alcohol abuse and problem gambling. The strategy, which is being published by the Government in full today, aims to set out plans for dealing with the physical and mental health challenges specifically facing men.
The Department of Health said men are less likely to seek help and can suffer in silence, and are more likely to smoke, drink, gamble and use drugs than women. The Government says it will invest £3.6 million over the next three years in suicide prevention projects for middle-aged men in local communities where men are at most risk of taking their own lives, including some of the most deprived parts of England.
