What was meant to be a simple, heartfelt goodbye quickly became the talk of Westminster.
Instead of the usual typed resignation letter, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer chose to write a 286-word message to Angela Rayner by hand.
His fountain pen, however, revealed more than just polite sorrow.
Handwriting Under the Microscope
The letter, expressing regret at Rayner’s exit from government as Deputy Prime Minister and Labour deputy leader, was analyzed by forensic handwriting expert Ruth Myers.
According to Myers, Starmer’s pen strokes suggest a complex personality: someone ambitious, competitive, and sometimes quick to anger, but also capable of poise and self-control.
Ambition, Control, and Emotional Distance
Ms. Myers described Starmer as a man who likes to be “top dog” and prefers to maintain control, yet often struggles to express his feelings directly.
“Many introverts find it easier to voice their feelings by the written word,” she noted.
While he appears composed and controlled in crises, his handwriting hints at emotional aloofness and occasional mood swings.
Signs of Evasiveness and Distrust
The expert also highlighted features in Starmer’s writing suggesting caution and potential evasiveness.
Tucked-in hooks and open ‘d’s’ in the letter point to unexpressed hostility, a tendency to be two-faced, and moments of duplicity.
Even the spacing between words and letters hinted at underlying emotional turmoil, revealing a man outwardly agreeable but fundamentally a loner.
A Letter That Speaks Beyond Words
What began as a gesture of sympathy has now offered an unexpected glimpse into the Prime Minister’s character.
While Downing Street was approached for comment, the analysis has sparked fresh discussion about Starmer’s personality and leadership style—and whether a handwritten note can say more than any press statement ever could.