Nothing says Christmas more than a personalised card. If you didn’t get any this year, fear not as the politicians have not disappointed.
While some went all out, tinsel and all, others took a more subtle approach. Here is a list of a few you may not want to miss.
Rishi Sunak
This year’s Christmas card from Rishi (‘keep my family out of this’) Sunak. pic.twitter.com/d1MWIy3Ysf
— Tim Walker (@ThatTimWalker) December 15, 2023
The prime minister has opted for a card that some might say reflects the state of the country now, if not more fittingly, the Conservative party: gloomy and somewhat sombre.
To set the festive tone, blobs of colour in the shape of a star and Christmas tree are superimposed on to the otherwise monochromatic picture, and what resembles Santa’s hat has been placed on top of Sunak’s head.
Sunak strolls alongside his wife, Akshata Murty, and their daughters, Anoushka and Krishna. The family dog, Nova – or in a fun and entirely original Christmas twist, Rudolph – runs ahead. He is definitely the most animated in the photo.
Keir Starmer
Of all the Christmas cards received so far from the front bench... Keir wins hands down.#SparkleWithStarmer pic.twitter.com/0vqmrPPD0z
— Mike Reader - Northampton South (@mike_reader) December 21, 2023
The Starmers have not disappointed with this year’s card, which might even boast more sparkle than the unexpected glitter attack that coated the Labour leader at his party’s conference.
He is holding his wife, Victoria Starmer’s, hand and the couple peer forward, as if they have set their eyes on something. Merry Christmas is cheerfully emblazoned at the bottom.
Starmer is often chided for being boring, but rumours that his height was adjusted on the card so he would appear taller than his wife have added some drama to his Christmas offering.
Jeremy Hunt
While not overtly Christmassy, and probably the least festive of the bunch, the chancellor has opted for a family-centred approach in his Christmas card. Hunt is somewhat buried between his wife, Lucia, their three children Jack, Anna and Eleanor, and dog Poppy, as they pose on a bench.
Lucia’s red jumper and his daughter’s earmuffs hint at Christmas, but perhaps Hunt’s festive spirit got lost in the post – along with his tax cuts.
Liz Truss
Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas 🎄 🌟 pic.twitter.com/dhdMnbbIFC
— Liz Truss (@trussliz) December 22, 2023
In stark contrast, some may argue, to her premiership, Liz Truss has settled on a picture of her looking serene and powerful.
She has toned it down from last year’s card, where some said the regal-looking portrait made it seem as if she were after the Queen’s job. Truss sits upright, legs crossed and hair neatly coiffed.
A fire blazes in the background and a basket of logs promises hours of comfort. While the picture exudes warmth, the card feels empty. Hopefully, her Christmas Day is filled with more people and laughter.
Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson has committed to his Father Christmas impersonation in this year’s card, with beard, hat and outfit to match – in what some on social media have named “the nightmare before Christmas”.
And what screams Christmas more than Johnson in a shoddy Santa costume on a stepladder, attempting to hang a decoration on a tree that looks about 7ft tall. He’s even got a little helper at the bottom – his three-year-old son Wilfred, perilously perched by Johnson’s feet.
