Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Sunak and Starmer share family festive traditions

Rishi Sunak has revealed that he takes charge of cooking the turkey on Christmas day, while Sir Keir Starmer heads to his local pub.

Dominic McGrath
Monday 25 December 2023 12:34 EST
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak takes charge of the turkey at Christmas (Jacob King/PA)
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak takes charge of the turkey at Christmas (Jacob King/PA) (PA Wire)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Rishi Sunak has revealed that he takes charge of cooking the turkey on Christmas Day, while Sir Keir Starmer heads to his local pub.

The Prime Minister joined fellow politicians in sharing with Politico their festive traditions and rituals.

“I always brine then cook the turkey, I hate the cooking, but no one else will do it! — and watch The Snowman with my daughters on Christmas Eve followed by The Holiday on Christmas Day,” Mr Sunak said.

He also got into the festive spirit with a video, posted on social media, set in an empty Downing Street.

“Am I the only one here?” Mr Sunak asks, before proceeding to bowl a ball against cans of Coca Cola – his favourite drink – and eat a plate of spaghetti while watching 2003 film Elf.

The Labour leader, who is hoping this Christmas is Mr Sunak’s last leading the country, told the website: “My kids get up at stupid o’clock to open presents, and afterwards we go to the memorial stone for Vic’s mum, who died three years ago.

“Then the pub is open for a couple of hours, so we go in there for a drink.”

Former prime minister Liz Truss said that she watches the 1982 Steven Spielberg film ET, as well as the the Julie Andrews-led musical The Sound Of Music.

“I always well up when ET is presumed dead in the river,” she said.

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron said that his festive season is similar to the rest of the country.

“Stockings in bed, church, presents, turkey, speech, snooze, fight. Like everyone.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in