Hugh Grant in Love Actually (2003) | Alamy
2 min read
A plan for Keir Starmer to pay tribute to a scene from the Christmas film Love Actually in his first TikTok video was scrapped over copyright concerns.
The Prime Minister joined the social media platform this week, as part of the government’s effort to modernise its communications and reach more voters, particularly young people.
The government has also joined Reddit, PoliticsHome revealed earlier this year, and is teaming up with influencers in a bid to promote its work.
In his first post on TikTok earlier this week, Starmer was filmed walking through 10 Downing Street with his wife, Victoria Starmer, to a Christmas light switch-on outside, inviting viewers to “follow me”.
PoliticsHome understands that aides had initially hoped to soundtrack the clip with Jump by The Pointer Sisters – the song that accompanies Hugh Grant’s famous dance in 10 Downing Street in the 2003 film. However, they decided against it out of concern that it could breach copyright rules.
Instead, the video uses Santa’s Coming Home (For Christmas) by Niklas Gabrielsson Lind & OTE.
No 10 was approached for comment but said it doesn’t comment on internal procedures.
At the time of writing, the Prime Minister’s TikTok account had nearly 39,000 followers.
His most recent post was footage of him attacking Reform UK leader Nigel Farage at this week’s Prime Minister’s Questions.
Another clip shows him welcoming Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to Downing Street, and another captures him arriving at work and discussing a visit from footballer Tyrone Mings.
