Keir Starmer on Loss, Resilience & Well-Being Over Dinner
Sir Keir Starmer has shared a deeply personal account of losing his brother, Nick, who passed away in 2024 after battling lung cancer. Speaking on Pete Wicks’s *Man Made* podcast during Men’s Mental Health Month, Starmer reflected on the emotional toll of grief, the importance of processing emotions, and the broader challenges young men face in finding positive role models. He highlighted the need for healthier paths to success, away from toxic influences, and credited fatherhood with reshaping his sense of masculinity and personal identity. These reflections hold relevance for Malta, where mental health awareness and holistic well-being are gaining momentum. Starmer’s emphasis on resilience and community support aligns with Malta’s focus on balanced living, seen in the growing popularity of wellness-focused dining. Restaurants across the island are embracing nourishing menus with locally-sourced ingredients, offering opportunities to promote both physical and mental health. Traditional family meals and shared dining experiences further underscore the role of food in fostering connection and emotional well-being.
Title: "Keir Starmer Reflects on Personal Loss and Men’s Mental Health: Lessons for a Healthier Life"
Sir Keir Starmer has shared a deeply personal account of the loss of his brother, describing the experience as a profound emotional toll that “hit me like a bus.” The UK Prime Minister opened up during an interview on The Only Way Is Essex star Pete Wicks’s Man Made podcast, recorded at 10 Downing Street in honour of Men’s Mental Health Month. His reflections offer valuable insights into mental health, resilience, and the importance of nurturing personal well-being—lessons that resonate universally, including here in Malta.
Starmer’s brother, Nick, who lived with learning difficulties due to complications at birth, passed away on Boxing Day 2024 at the age of 60 after an 18-month battle with lung cancer. Recalling the moment Nick was diagnosed, Starmer admitted, “Because he’s very vulnerable, I didn’t want him to learn about the diagnosis on his own. I wasn’t sure he’d fully understand or how he’d react. So I insisted on being there with him when he was told he had terminal cancer.”
Throughout Nick’s illness, Starmer maintained a private and protective approach, often visiting him in intensive care under the radar with the help of hospital staff. “I was shutting the world out,” he revealed. “I fiercely wouldn’t let anybody know this was happening. Even though I knew he was going to die, when it happened, it hit me like a bus. It was just intensely difficult to process.”
These reflections highlight how grief and emotional challenges can impact even those in leadership positions. For Malta, where mental health awareness is steadily growing, Starmer’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of creating space to process emotions and seeking support when needed—a principle that aligns with our nation’s increasing emphasis on holistic health, community support, and wellness.
Starmer also spoke about broader mental health challenges faced by young men, including the search for role models. “Figures like Andrew Tate can become attractive to young men because they offer an image of success, wealth, and fame,” he explained. “But that often comes with toxic baggage like misogyny and division. Steering young men towards healthier paths and values is tricky but essential.”
This sentiment resonates strongly in Malta’s food and lifestyle scene, where promoting healthier habits and balanced living has become a priority. Restaurants across the island are increasingly embracing menus that focus on nourishing food, locally-sourced produce, and wellness-focused dining experiences. Whether it’s a hearty, plant-based meal in Valletta or a nutrient-packed smoothie bowl in Mellieħa, Malta’s culinary landscape offers countless opportunities to steer young people—and indeed everyone—towards better physical and mental health.
Starmer also credited fatherhood with transforming his sense of masculinity and personal identity. Reflecting on his relationship with his children, he said, “Fatherhood created space for me to be something different. My children profoundly changed my life, my sense of what it is to be a man.” In Malta, the role of family in nurturing both mental and physical health is celebrated, whether through traditional family meals or outdoor activities that encourage connection and mindful living. Sharing meals together, particularly those made from fresh, wholesome ingredients, has long been a cornerstone of Maltese culture—one that supports emotional well-being alongside physical health.
Starmer’s interview coincides with the UK government’s strategy for men’s health, which addresses critical issues like suicide, alcohol abuse, and problem gambling. While the initiatives are UK-focused, these topics are equally relevant to Malta, where mental health services and community-driven wellness programs are gaining traction. Restaurants and cafés here can play a role by providing welcoming, inclusive spaces for meaningful conversations over nourishing food—a simple yet impactful approach to fostering connection and well-being.
As Malta continues to champion healthier living, Starmer’s reflections remind us that mental health is just as vital as physical health. Whether through mindful dining, creating spaces for open conversations, or prioritizing self-care, Malta’s food and lifestyle community can be a powerful advocate for a better, healthier future for all.