Labour leader Keir Starmer has made a surprisingly candid admission about the sacrifices of political life, revealing he often missed parents' evenings and school events for work commitments.
In a heartfelt moment during a campaign stop, the opposition leader told families: "I know what it's like to juggle work and children. I've missed parents' evenings because of votes in parliament."
The Work-Parenting Tightrope
Starmer's confession came as he pledged to make family life easier if Labour wins power, promising:
- More flexible working rights for parents
- Better childcare support
- Reformed school hours to help working families
The former prosecutor, father to a teenage son and daughter, admitted Westminster's late-night votes frequently clashed with school commitments. "It's the eternal challenge for working parents," he acknowledged.
Political Parents Under Pressure
Starmer isn't the first politician to grapple with this dilemma. Former PM Theresa May famously spoke about being "difficult to watch" her husband's cricket matches due to parliamentary duties.
But Starmer's admission comes as Labour positions itself as the party of family-friendly policies, with shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson recently announcing plans to overhaul the school day.
Critics argue such pledges risk overpromising, while supporters say they address real struggles faced by modern families across Britain.
