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Edited by: Fern Sidman
For the first time in history, 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the United Kingdom’s prime minister, will be home to a practicing Jewish family. This milestone comes with the swearing-in of Keir Starmer, the newly elected Prime Minister, by King Charles III, following a landslide victory for the Labour Party, as was recently reported in The Forward. Although Starmer himself is not Jewish, his wife, Victoria Alexander Starmer, is, and their children are being raised in the Jewish faith.
Keir Starmer, despite not being Jewish himself, has embraced the faith through his family. His wife, Victoria, comes from a Jewish background, and together they are committed to raising their children in the Jewish tradition. According to the information provided in The Forward report, Starmer has expressed that his family will continue to observe Shabbat dinners while he leads the country, a testament to their dedication to their faith and family rituals.
Starmer’s connection to Judaism extends beyond his family practices. He has been a vocal supporter of Israel and has pledged to combat the rising tide of anti-Semitism in the United Kingdom. The report in The Forward observed that this commitment has resonated with many in the Jewish community, particularly at a time when anti-Semitic incidents have been on the rise across the country.
Victoria Starmer, often referred to by friends as “Lady Vic,” is a former solicitor, the British term for a lawyer, who now works for the National Health Service (NHS). Her heritage is deeply rooted in Jewish history; her father was born to a Polish Jewish family that immigrated to England before World War II, and her late mother converted to Judaism, as per the information contained in The Forward report. Despite her husband’s political prominence, Victoria maintains a low public profile and is known for her intense privacy.
The Starmers have been very protective of their children’s privacy, a stance that has continued even after Keir Starmer’s political triumph. The Forward report indicated that while their son’s name, Toby, has been disclosed, their daughter’s name remains undisclosed, reflecting the family’s desire to shield their children from public scrutiny.
Keir Starmer’s residence at 10 Downing Street marks a new chapter in the history of the UK’s prime ministerial residence, the report added. This historic development is not just about a change in residence but also about a commitment to inclusivity and the fight against the most egregious manifestations of anti-Semitism. As Starmer steps into his role as Prime Minister, his leadership is expected to reflect these values, aiming to create a more tolerant and inclusive society.
The presence of a Jewish family at 10 Downing Street is a powerful symbol of the changing dynamics within British society and politics.
For the Starmer family, Shabbat holds significant importance. Keir Starmer has described Shabbat as a “rock in the week,” emphasizing the special nature of Friday night dinners, complete with challah and kiddush. This weekly ritual provides a moment of reflection and togetherness for the family. “It’s really nice and really special,” Starmer has noted, as was affirmed in The Forward report.
The Starmers are members of the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in St Johns Wood, London. This synagogue is known for its inclusive, diverse, and egalitarian community, committed to social justice and welcoming of non-Jewish partners. This membership aligns with the Starmers’ approach to raising their children with a recognition of their Jewish heritage. According to The Forward report, Starmer has stated, “Just carving out that tradition, that bit of faith on Friday is incredibly important.”
Starmer’s dedication to his family’s religious practices extends to his professional life. He has made a point of avoiding Friday night events to be home for Shabbat, a decision that has drawn both admiration and criticism. Indicated in The Forward report was that this commitment was highlighted when Starmer faced backlash from the Conservative Party, with former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and party members criticizing his stance. The Conservative Party posted on X, “Keir Starmer has said he’d clock off work at 6 p.m. if he became Prime Minister. You deserve better than a part-time Prime Minister.”
In response to the criticism, Starmer defended his decision, emphasizing the importance of religious observance. “I would have thought to anybody it’s blindingly obvious that a Friday night is quite important in some religions and faiths,” he responded, as was reported by The Forward.
Starmer’s approach to balancing his public duties with his personal and family religious practices presents a modern example of how leaders can integrate their faith into their professional lives. His insistence on maintaining Shabbat observance while serving as Prime Minister shines a spotlight on a broader conversation about work-life balance and respect for religious practices in high-pressure roles.
Moreover, Starmer’s position has brought attention to the Jewish community in the UK, particularly within the context of a political climate that has seen a surge in anti-Semitism. His strong support for Israel and commitment to fighting anti-Semitism reflect his dedication to these issues, which resonate deeply within his personal life and political career.
His commitment to addressing this issue has been evident throughout his career, especially in his leadership of the Labour Party. The Forward reported that Starmer has been vocal about the need for zero tolerance towards anti-Semitism.
Starmer has been particularly critical of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn for his handling of anti-Semitism within the party. The Forward report noted that Corbyn’s tenure, from 2015 to 2020, was marked by controversy, particularly his comments referring to Hezbollah and Hamas as “friends.” Although Corbyn later backtracked on these remarks, his support for a boycott of Israel and his tendency to downplay the rise of anti-Semitism within the party drew significant criticism.
One of the most notable actions Starmer took was suspending Corbyn from the Labour Party. This decision came after Corbyn dismissed a report that found evidence of mistreatment of Jewish Labour Party members. The information in The Forward report indicated that Starmer expressed profound disappointment with Corbyn’s response to the report, stating, “I can’t tell you how disappointed I was that morning and the response of Jeremy to the report. It fundamentally cuts across all of that work that I had put in trying to make sure that we could do the right thing by that report.”
“I think we can make up for lost ground,” Starmer said, emphasizing his determination to rectify the party’s past mistakes and foster an inclusive environment free from anti-Semitism and hatred.
Starmer’s efforts to combat anti-Semitism are part of a broader strategy to reform the Labour Party and ensure that it stands firmly against all forms of bigotry. The report in The Forward said that his leadership has been characterized by a proactive approach to addressing systemic issues within the party, with a particular focus on rooting out anti-Semitism and rebuilding the party’s relationship with the Jewish community.
Starmer’s connection to Israel is partly personal, given that some of his wife’s family resides there. Following the October 7 Hamas attacks, Starmer expressed relief that none of his wife’s relatives were directly affected. However, the events elicited a profound response from him. The Forward reported that he described feeling a “deep sense of shock” at the increase in anti-Semitism within the UK and emphasized his solidarity with Jewish communities domestically and with Israel internationally.
Starmer has been vocal in his criticism of the BBC for its refusal to label Hamas as a terrorist organization, a stance that has resonated with many who feel that clear terminology is crucial in such contexts. According to The Forward, on October 11, he reiterated Israel’s right to self-defense and placed the blame for the terrorist acts squarely on Hamas.
In more recent statements, Starmer has stressed the importance of achieving a ceasefire to facilitate the release of the remaining hostages in Hamas captivity. He has balanced this humanitarian concern with a steadfast commitment to Israel’s right to defend itself, stating, “I will not try and bully Israel into making concessions that are not in its interests,” as was reported by The Forward.
Pre-election polls indicated a substantial increase in support for the Labour Party among Jewish voters. Approximately 46% of UK Jews were predicted to vote Labour, a significant rise from the 11% who supported the party in 2019 under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn, The Forward report explained. This dramatic shift can be attributed to Starmer’s strong stance against anti-Semitism and his efforts to distance the party from Corbyn’s controversial tenure.
However, despite these gains, Labour also faced challenges. The party lost several seats to pro-Palestinian independent candidates, indicating a complex and multifaceted electorate with diverse views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Starmers’ residence at 10 Downing Street marks a historic moment, as it is the first time a practicing Jewish family lives there. However, this is not the first Jewish connection to the Prime Minister’s residence.
The report in The Forward recalled that Benjamin Disraeli, who served as a Conservative Prime Minister during Queen Victoria’s reign, was the son of Jewish parents. Disraeli’s father, Isaac D’Israeli, left their synagogue and had his children baptized into the Church of England in 1817, allowing Disraeli to pursue a political career at a time when Jews were excluded from Parliament. The Forward also noted that despite his conversion, Disraeli acknowledged his Jewish heritage and often portrayed Jews as a superior race. His background was both a source of pride and mockery, with the press frequently caricaturing him and calling him derogatory names.
