SIR KEIR'S STYLISH WIFE LADY STARMER HOW OUR NEW 'FIRST LADY' IS A FASHION VOTE-WINNER

Arriving at Number Ten for the first time in her new role as “First Lady”, Lady Starmer knew her outfit needed to send a message.

- LAURA BENJAMIN

And the bright-red £275 dress from Me+Em she wore to stand alongside her husband Sir Keir – the UK’s new Prime Minister – did exactly that.

Crisp, tailored and a flattering shade of Labour party red, it lent a suitable air of professionalism to a woman who has so far stayed out of the spotlight, and was widely applauded by fashion experts.

Founded by Clare Hornby and Emma Howarth and favoured by stars including Hollywood actress Katie Holmes, Me+Em was also the label Victoria picked to attend the races at Sandown Park, in Esher, Surrey, two days after the election.

Fittingly, the motto for the British brand is “intelligent style for intelligent women” .

Thrust into the public eye after her husband’s victory on 4 July, “Vic”, as she’s known to family and friends, will have to balance her desire for a quiet family life with the requirements that come with being married to the leader of the Government.

The former solicitor is now an occupational health worker for the NHS in London’s Camden and has no plans to step down.

“She’s going to carry on working – she wants to and she loves it,” the new Prime Minister has said. “She is my complete support in this. She didn’t sign up for this but is absolutely centrally part of it.”

Victoria and her husband are fiercely loyal to the north-west London neighbourhood of Kentish Town, where they lived until the general election result.

Their two children attended a local primary school and reports suggest Vic tor ia is popular, frequenting local pub The Pineapple with friends and neighbours and joining in with local mums’ networks.

COMMUNITY SPIRIT

“They really do like being part of that community,” a friend of the Starmers has said. “They get involved in events and Keir has been playing for a local football team for many years. They like to live a quiet, low-key life.”