Starmer issues emotional message to son as he confronts difficult relationship with father

Starmer marks International Men's Day with letter to his sonSource: Keir Starmer

Transcript

00:00A letter to my son.

00:04It feels like only yesterday that we brought you home.

00:09So nervous, but so excited for the journey ahead.

00:15Today almost unbelievably you're already 17.

00:20You're taller than I am and you've grown into a confident, kind, wonderful young man.

00:28And I'm so proud of you.

00:31I didn't have a very close relationship with my own dad.

00:35When my mum, your grandma Jo, was sick and she was very sick.

00:41He cared for her devotedly, but he and I never really spoke.

00:46We never really got to know each other.

00:49And I was determined that my relationship with you was going to be different.

00:55And spending time with you is one of the highlights of my week.

00:58Whether it's a takeaway or going to watch the arson.

01:03I do know it's not easy growing up in this day and age.

01:07I know there are pressures on young men that are difficult to talk about.

01:13And questions that frankly are difficult to answer.

01:19Questions about mental health, masculinity, social media.

01:24I remember when we watched adolescence together and as a dad, it was tough to see at times.

01:33But if there's one hope I have, it's that we keep talking, keep learning from each other,

01:39keep helping each other.

01:42The reason I do the job I do, and I know that means huge sacrifices for you, for your sister and your mum.

01:52It's because I want the world, for tomorrow's generation, to be better.

01:59When I was younger, I often had a voice in the back of my head that told me I wasn't good enough or right for certain things.

02:10If I had one message for you, and for every other child growing up, it would be this.

02:17Don't listen to that voice.

02:21Every young person has something to offer.

02:25And I want to make sure every child realises their dreams.

02:29So your generation has the future that it deserves.

02:34You and your sister are my pride and joy.

02:38Love, Dad.