Sir Keir Starmer's wife Victoria embraces her father as she enters Downing Street

By Shannon Mcguigan

Published: | Updated:

Sir Keir Starmer's wife 'Lady Vic' gave her father a warm embrace as she stepped into her new life in the limelight and entered through the doors of No 10.

Bernard Alexander, who comes from a Polish-Jewish background briefly stood upright with the help of a walking aid, as his daughter gave him a tight and loving squeeze.

Previously an economics lecturer and accountant, Mr Alexander moved to the UK from Poland before the Second World War broke out across Europe 

Having raised Lady Victoria Starmer alongside late mother who also converted to the faith, his 'streetwise' daughter is set to bring Shabbat to Downing Street.

The Prime Minister has faced backlash for suggesting he would be off the clock by 6pm on Fridays for the religious celebration - despite being an atheist himself - a criticism he implied had anti-semitic tones. 

Sir Keir Starmer 's wife 'Lady Vic' gave her Jewish father a warm embrace before she entered through the historic doors of No 10

Sir Keir Starmer 's wife 'Lady Vic' gave her Jewish father a warm embrace before she entered through the historic doors of No 10

Her Jewish father Bernard Alexander was previously an economics lecturer, who had come to the UK from Poland before the Second World War broke out in Europe

Her Jewish father Bernard Alexander was previously an economics lecturer, who had come to the UK from Poland before the Second World War broke out in Europe

'Vic', as he calls her, has taken a back seat during the campaign

'Vic', as he calls her, has taken a back seat during the campaign

Keir Starmer acknowledged 'weariness at the heart of the nation' after his so-called 'loveless landslide' in the election, with his wife by his side

Keir Starmer acknowledged 'weariness at the heart of the nation' after his so-called 'loveless landslide' in the election, with his wife by his side

Sir Keir and wife Victoria walked into their new home after he delivered his first speech as PM this afternoon

Sir Keir and wife Victoria walked into their new home after he delivered his first speech as PM this afternoon 

The newly-elected PM and his wife Victoria were clapped in by staff as they entered No10

The newly-elected PM and his wife Victoria were clapped in by staff as they entered No10

'I would have thought to anybody it's blindingly obvious that a Friday night is quite important in some religions and faiths,' he told the Jewish Chronicle.

Labour MP Wes Streeting has also come to Starmer's defence in a bid to protect his Friday evenings in a bid to honour his wife's religious background.

In an interview with Chris Evans on Virgin Radio on Monday, he said: 'Keir isn't clocking off on Fridays, he doesn't put off Fridays.

'He does try to protect Friday evenings for his kids for two reasons. One he's a great dad.

'And secondly, his wife's family do have Jewish heritage and they try to keep Fridays special in keeping with their families culture, faith and practice.'

The publicly doting couple have also been keen to raise their two teenagers in a Liberal Jewish Synagogue in North London so they can 'recognize the faith of part of their grandfather's family'.

The youngsters are said to be 'completely freaked out' by the idea of being known for the first time following their father's landslide win.

But Mrs Starmer on the other hand as confessed she is 'quite unbothered' by her husband's political antics and refused to be the wife-on-the-campaign-trail this election cycle.

The couple have two teenage children, a 16-year-old boy and 13-year-old daughter said to be both daunted by the limelight

The couple have two teenage children, a 16-year-old boy and 13-year-old daughter said to be both daunted by the limelight

The couple were cheered as they left the rally this morning

The couple were cheered as they left the rally this morning

Sir Keir said he wanted to 'changed the country' but warned it will 'take a while', saying he wanted to restore the values of 'service' to politics. He admitted that many people did not believe he would improve the country

Sir Keir said he wanted to 'changed the country' but warned it will 'take a while', saying he wanted to restore the values of 'service' to politics. He admitted that many people did not believe he would improve the country

Despite her husband's new title as Prime Minister of the UK. the NHS occupational therapist will continue to focus on her role, her family and above all else raising their two teenagers.

'She's a streetwise grounded, brilliant, gorgeous woman who wants as far as she can to get on with her own life and to protect it', Mr Starmer said recently.

'She loves working for the NHS. She loves the team that she's working with. And she and I are doing our best to raise two happy and confident children and that matters hugely to us.'

Mrs Starmer has been described as Britain's 'reluctant First Lady'.

And although the pair looked very much in love on the steps of Downing Street - this has not always been the case. 

According to Starmer, at least.

Sir Keir admits that his wife is so 'sassy' that the first thing she said after speaking with him for the first time was: 'Who the f*** does he think he is?'

A young Mr Starmer, then a barrister, had made the fatal error of incorrectly questioning his future wife's work as a solicitor - and found himself on the end of her sharp tongue.

Victoria pictured with Sir Keir during a count for the 2017 general election. She has become a more public companion of her politico husband in recent years - but she still remains reluctant to be in the limelight

Victoria pictured with Sir Keir during a count for the 2017 general election. She has become a more public companion of her politico husband in recent years - but she still remains reluctant to be in the limelight

Sir Keir and Victoria with his parents Josephine and Rodney, taken on their wedding day in 2007

Sir Keir and Victoria with his parents Josephine and Rodney, taken on their wedding day in 2007

Sir Clive Alderton, Principal Private Secretary to the King and Queen (2nd right) with Commander William Thornton, Royal Navy, Equerry to the King (right) as Sir Keir Starmer, and his wife Victoria Starmer, leave Buckingham Palace in London after an audience with King Charles III

Sir Clive Alderton, Principal Private Secretary to the King and Queen (2nd right) with Commander William Thornton, Royal Navy, Equerry to the King (right) as Sir Keir Starmer, and his wife Victoria Starmer, leave Buckingham Palace in London after an audience with King Charles III

Incoming British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Victoria Starmer outside No. 10

Incoming British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Victoria Starmer outside No. 10 

Victoria Starmer hugged jubilant activists this afternoon after Sir Keir was formally installed as Britain's 58th PM

Victoria Starmer hugged jubilant activists this afternoon after Sir Keir was formally installed as Britain's 58th PM

But undeterred he asked her out for a drink to the Lord Stanely pub in Camden in 2000 anyway, and the rest is history with the pair trying the knot in 2007. 

Yesterday they moved into the flat above No 10 Downing Street - and Mr Starmer will keep his promise of getting a dog for their two teenage children after his party's landslide election victory.

Sir Keir Starmer's intensely private wife stepped out of the shadows and into the as they celebrated Labour's historic election win with a passionate kiss.

Just hours before she started a new life in Downing Street, Lady Victoria closed her eyes and enjoyed a clinch with Sir Keir after his speech at a victory rally in central London.

The public display of affection was a rare step for Mrs Starmer.

But the 'reluctant First Lady' can avoid the limelight no longer, and yesterday Lady Victoria Starmer entered No 10 with her husband after hugging well-wishers in the world's most famous street after Labour's landslide victory and crushing of the Tories.

Read More: 

The First Lady of British politics was cheering wildly as her husband romped home

The First Lady of British politics was cheering wildly as her husband romped home

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer kisses his wife Victoria as it was confirmed he will be the next PM at around 5am this morning

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer kisses his wife Victoria as it was confirmed he will be the next PM at around 5am this morning

Sir Keir and Lady Victoria clapping for key workers outside their home in London in May 2020. Lady Vic works in the NHS and will not give up her job

Sir Keir and Lady Victoria clapping for key workers outside their home in London in May 2020. Lady Vic works in the NHS and will not give up her job

Those close to the Labour leader say his 'no-nonsense' and 'sassy' wife has no qualms about 'telling people about the real Keir'.

Even if he has not found it easy himself after their initial fiery introduction.

Fast forward 24 years later, the pair now share a £1.75million Kentish Town home with their two children - a teenager named Toby and a younger daughter whose name has not been made public.

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