Keir Starmer cancelled his family’s summer holiday to Europe so that he could stay in London to focus on the government response to the far-right riots across England, his spokesperson announced on Monday. While some argued his presence at No 10 was crucial in the wake of the violence, others said he ought to take a break to recharge his batteries. We asked Guardian readers for their views on how much Starmer and other leaders should prioritise holidays. ‘It’s important for leaders to take holidays’ I think it’s important for political leaders to take holidays, especially if they have kids (as Starmer does) who are going to miss out on time with their dad anyway because of his job. I think a leader who takes no downtime is probably not as focused or sharp as he should be. We all need rest. With tech and communication as it is in the modern world, it should be possible for him to take a week with his family. If there’s an emergency, he can come back immediately. It’s not like he’s jetting off to the Caribbean or somewhere. Lucy Coats, 63, writer, Northamptonshire ‘Starmer is not putting his wellbeing at risk’ I agree it’s as important for politicians to take holidays as much as for anyone else. But if you were to start a new senior role and then be handling a major crisis only a few weeks later, I imagine your colleagues would generally be relieved, not annoyed, that you’d cancelled your holiday in order to make sure things ran smoothly. Breaks are needed to prevent burnout, but it’s hardly the case that six weeks into the job, Keir Starmer is putting his wellbeing at risk or even setting a bad example by declining to take one. Katie Bird, 35, managing director, Edinburgh ‘He was in an impossible position’ Starmer was in an impossible position due to the unusual timing of the election. He needed to be seen to act quickly (and personally) and, in the circumstances of him being a new PM, that was the more important factor. It is very important to take holiday – everyone needs time out. If you can relax and switch off, you are more likely to do a good job when you return to the fray. However, there are other factors which are important too. Chris, retired headteacher, Llandudno ‘Politics has become a 24 hour a day rat race’ Politics has become a 24 hour a day rat race, which always threatens calm and rational decision making. Naturally, the prime minister and other cabinet members should be on call but should rely on their immediate staff to determine what constitutes an emergency and/or a critical decision. Peter Luff, 77, Henley-on-Thames, worked in voluntary sector, now retired
‘Even a single morning not thinking about work is healthy’ I am in favour of any leader taking holiday. They are human. Even a single morning not thinking about work is healthy. He will want to, and should be allowed to, spend precious time with his wife and kids. Unfortunately, this could be used by the opposition as a stick to beat him with. Note the furore/opportunism when he suggested that, as PM, he would keep Friday nights free (albeit that was during an election campaign). I understand his caution but see it as a sad reflection of the current state of political discourse. Richard, 40, financial services, Aberdeenshire ‘Holidays may have to take second place’ Like all workers they require rest and regular time off to spend with their family. But as was the case with Keir Starmer when the rightwing riots took off, as the head of government it’s essential in times of emergency that families and holidays may have to take second place for a very short spell while matters of urgency are addressed. Keir showed outstanding leadership when he cancelled his family holiday while he attended Cobra meetings etc. Owen Nicholson, 74, retired antique dealer, Lincolnshire ‘He takes public office seriously’ I understand completely why Keir Starmer cancelled his holiday. And it illustrates the fact that he is a man of integrity and someone who takes public office seriously. But at some point he will need to relax and cut the job out of his life, even if only a week. Can you imagine Johnson doing it? No, quite the reverse. Moya Harris, 71, charity fundraiser, Devon ‘If he does get some time away, let us be spared the photos’ Keir Starmer has had a very pressurised few months with the election and assuming power so I hope he can find space to have at least a few days to wind down and reconnect with his family before parliament resumes. He strikes me as a thoughtful man so I’m sure he is aware of his situation. If he does get some time away please let us be spared the photos we were often besieged with … eg Cameron’s shorts … Johnson looking ridiculous in Scotland … just too embarrassing for all. Teresa Curtis, retired university lecturer, Stockport