Conservatives label Keir Starmer a 'part-time Prime Minister'

Sir Keir Starmer would be a 'part-time prime minister', the Tories claimed last night after the Labour leader said he would not fill his diary 24/7.

With just three days to go until he is expected to take one of the most demanding jobs in the country, Sir Keir said he tries not to work after 6pm on a Friday night.

He insisted that protecting time to spend with his children makes him a better decision-maker.

But the Prime Minister seized on his opponent's comments, telling reporters: 'I haven't finished at six ever.'

A Conservative Party attack on social media added: 'Keir Starmer has said he'd clock off work at 6pm if he became prime minister.

With just three days to go until he is expected to take one of the most demanding jobs in the country, Sir Keir said he tries not to work after 6pm on a Friday night

'You deserve better than a part-time prime minister. The only way to prevent this is to vote Conservative on Thursday.'

And Tory mayor of the Tees Valley Ben Houchen warned Sir Keir's deputy, Angela Rayner, would be left in charge.

'Angela Rayner in charge of the country because Slippery Starmer needs his beauty sleep. God forbid the Government need to do anything after 6pm.'

Sir Keir, who has a 16-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter with his wife Victoria, told Virgin Radio he was more relaxed after spending time with his children.

'We've had a strategy in place and we'll try to keep to it, which is to carve out really protected time for the kids, so on a Friday – I've been doing this for years – I will not do a work-related thing after six o'clock, pretty well come what may.

In response to Sir Keir's comments on work hours, Rishi Sunak told reporters: 'I haven't finished at six ever.'

'There are a few exceptions, but that's what we do.'

Sir Keir said his son and daughter are his 'pride and joy' and 'I don't want to lose that time'.

He said that in politics 'some people think, if you fill your diary 24/7 and don't do anything else, that makes you a much better decision-maker'.

'I don't agree with that, I think you've got to make space, so we do it.'

If Sir Keir wins the election and enters No 10, he would be expected to work at all hours – with the job often requiring late night decisions, from the signing of warrants for arrests to authorising urgent military action.

In the interview with Virgin Radio's Chris Evans, who used to play football with the Labour leader, Sir Keir also suggested his children appeared unimpressed with his political career.

After winning a Spectator politician of the year award, he said his son asked 'How did you blag that, then?'.

And when he was speaking at a fundraising dinner his daughter asked: 'Why would anyone pay to hear you speak?'

'They keep me very, very grounded,' Sir Keir said.

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