Keir Starmer’s wife Victoria may step into the spotlight next year as her husband grapples with dwindling popularity, according to close friends.
Having taken time to adjust to life in Downing Street, Victoria is reportedly contemplating championing a charity or worthy cause.
Despite her low profile and limited involvement in official duties thus far, she has maintained her role as an occupational therapist at a leading London hospital since Starmer assumed office.
Insiders suggest that she might align herself with a charity or preferred cause next year, potentially health-related, provided it remains apolitical.
Friends told Tatler magazine that she has “the option of reviewing her role when Keir has been in power for a year to see how it’s going”, adding that “if it changes, it will be on her terms”.
This would mark a significant shift for Victoria, who found herself embroiled in the freebies scandal involving her husband and his senior ministerial team last autumn.
It was revealed in September that Sir Keir had neglected to declare financial contributions towards clothing from Lord Alli, a millionaire Labour donor, which included a personal shopper, designer clothes and alterations for Victoria.
She was later spotted at London Fashion Week donning a custom-made outfit loaned to her by the designer. Labour MPs have noted that Lady Starmer tends to maintain a low profile.
One MP told Tatler: “You can spend a lot of time around the Labour Party at high levels and never meet Victoria. It’s her choice, of course. But there’s a great appetite to see more of her.”
The article also disclosed that Sir Keir’s family has fully relocated to Downing Street, nearly half a year after his election victory.
The couple’s two teenage children are reportedly well-adjusted in the No 10 flat following Starmer’s initial solo move. Victoria and the children had been splitting their time between Downing Street and their north London home during a transitional phase.
Last month’s documents reveal that Starmer is now renting out their mortgage-free Kentish Town house.
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London and a friend of the Starmers, confirmed that “they are all very well settled in and everyone is happy”, adding: “I wouldn’t ask them to change a thing while the children are growing up.”
Despite any potential increase in Victoria’s public presence, it is anticipated that the Starmers will continue to protect their children’s privacy.
Their 16-year-old son and 14-year-old daughter remain unnamed publicly, with the prime minister rarely mentioning them to keep them away from public scrutiny.
