UK Labour leader Keir Starmer’s comments about work-life balance have sparked debate about how much people should work.

Ahead of the UK general election on Thursday, Mr Starmer said if he was the next British Prime Minister, he would clock out at 6pm on Fridays. 

“There are a few exceptions, but that’s what we do,” he said in a radio interview. 

“We’ve had a strategy in place and we’ll try to keep to it, which is to carve out really protected time for the kids.” 

Mr Starmer has been labelled ‘Sir Sleepy’ by his rivals – while Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said he has never finished work before 6pm. 

Tony told Lunchtime Live his previous job also forced him to work odd hours – which was his own choice. 

“You have to be flexible – the phone is never switched off,” he said.

He said he was once on holiday with his wife when he received a phone call about a work “crisis”. 

“I spent most of that lovely holiday on the phone dealing with some interesting stuff,” he said. 

Tony said if he had that pressure on him in the past, he couldn’t imagine the pressure a Prime Minister is under. 

“[Mr Starmer] might think he’ll be finished at 6pm on a Friday – he won’t,” he said. 

“You make choices, and you live with the choices.” 

Work-life balance

Labour Councillor and former TD Joanna Tully said Mr Starmer’s goal is admirable – but possibly not realistic if you’re leading a country. 

“You're very much your own boss and your own taskmaster," she said.

"You can’t reduce the role of an elected representative to the same as an employee who works 9am to 5pm."

Mr Starmer has said there are "exceptions" to his work rule.

Role model for boys

Amanda argued Mr Starmer is “endlessly sensible” for his dedication to a work-life balance. 

“If he’s very organised, has a good time, capable of delegation, he can do it,” she said. 

“It doesn’t mean it won’t be difficult.” 

She said it is “very important” that a man has said they want to focus on family. 

“Equality means being allowed to make choices for both sexes,” she said. 

“It's also to do with giving boys a role model as to what your role is in society. 

“Keir is giving a much better role model than some buffoons full of macho rubbish.” 

Listen back here: