Life in Downing Street: What will it be like for Keir Starmer’s children?

With Labour’s victory all but confirmed, it’s looking likely that Keir Starmer and his family will be moving into Number 10 Downing Street in the next few days. But who are his children, and what has he said about how he’s going to balance his family life as Prime Minister?

Starmer and his wife Victoria have two children – a 16-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter. The Labour leader has been ‘fiercely protective’ of his children’s identities and has shielded them from the public eye, with their names not being made publicly available.

Speaking on the campaign trail on Wednesday, Starmer told journalists he didn’t want to bring his children into the limelight, saying: “I don’t want to overly talk about my children because I don’t want to bring them into this – that’s the very thing I’ve been trying not to do.

“It’s not easy if you’re 16 and 13-and-a-half to go through big changes in your life if that’s what happens, and so, you know, they’re understandably at an age where this is very impactful on them, which is why I’ve been so fiercely protective of them for many years now and will continue to try to be so.”

Starmer has also recently stated that he tries to avoid working after 6pm on Fridays, in order to spend time with his family. This has been seen as controversial by the Conservatives, with some saying he will be a ‘part-time’ PM if he is elected.

Hitting back at the comments, Starmer said the criticism was “bordering on hysterical” and said his wife’s side of the family is Jewish, meaning Fridays are often used for family prayers.

He also jokingly claimed on ITV’s This Morning that his children would most likely “ramp up their campaign” for a family dog following the move to Number 10, which would make the transition easier.

Children of former PMs haven’t always been kept out of the public eye. Former Labour PM Tony Blair was often photographed with his children, Euan, Nicky, Kathryn, and Leo, during his premiership. His son Leo was the first legitimate child born to a serving prime minister in over 150 years when his wife Cherie gave birth in 2000.

Euan Blair, now 40, is a businessman and investor who was this year listed in the Sunday Times Rich List with an estimated net worth of £375 million.

Another prime minister who had children during his time in office was Boris Johnson, who has an unconfirmed number of children. His current wife Carrie Symonds gave birth to a son and a daughter during their time at Number 10.

Outgoing prime minister, Rishi Sunak, who has two young daughters, often made media appearances with his family. Following his exit from Downing Street, it is thought that the family will take up residence in one of their various properties in London, to be closer to his children’s school.