What Westminster does for Boxing Day

LONDON — Christmas has a pretty solid formula — variations on the classic staples of turkey and naps. But the day that chases it up — known as Boxing Day in the U.K. — is a far more freewheeling affair.

POLITICO London Playbook fired off WhatsApps all over Westminster to try to understand what the big day after means to the politicians — and politics-watchers — across the U.K.

Turns out SW1 is a selection of feasters and health kickers, pub dwellers and binge watchers, walkers and festive singers. Here are their Boxing Day traditions.

Keir Starmer, prime minister: We keep it simple. Family time, a long walk — if we can get the kids out… I’ll likely be polishing off the Brussels sprouts (cooked in lemon, oil, garlic salt and a bit of Parmesan of course).

Rachel Reeves, chancellor: On Boxing day my sister Ellie comes over and we have a rib of beef!

Ellie Reeves, solicitor general: I always spend Boxing Day with my sister Rachel Reeves, who is a very good cook! This year it’s beef with stilton and port gravy. My children are particularly excited about seeing the Christmas tree on Downing Street.

Angela Rayner, ex-deputy prime minister: It’s a rest and recovery day for the family, probably wearing my “Gingers Are For Life, Not Just For Christmas” jumper. I don’t like waste so all the leftovers get used up. Perhaps a long walk and I’ve been known to venture out for a curry. When I was working as a home carer, there wasn’t much time for Christmas. Those working on the frontline will be in my thoughts today.

Darren Jones, chief secretary to the PM: It’s Christmas Day 2.0 at home in Bristol with the extended family over. I don’t eat turkey myself but always love cooking for everyone — and double nut roast for me!

Kemi Badenoch, Tory leader: Long country walk that ends in a pub.

Yvette Cooper, foreign secretary: Mum’s house for egg and chips!

Steve Reed, housing secretary: We don’t always manage to do it these days but my favourite Boxing Day tradition is getting the family round for some very loud (rather drunken) carol singing.

Lucy Powell, deputy Labour leader: As I host a large Christmas get-together, Boxing Day is a day to relax. Once all the tidying is done (which is always loads), we go for a walk maybe or watch a film or TV. We do too many games/quizzes on Christmas day to watch telly. Then have leftovers covered in my famous turkey gravy.  Almost better than Christmas Day.

Robert Jenrick, shadow justice secretary: I’ll be doing the Newark Boxing Day fun run to burn off the calories from our Christmas lunch. I’ll brave the Trent with some of the locals and then head for a pint at Car Colston pub. Boxing Day lunch will be a selection of Christmas leftovers cooked by my mum!

Mike Tapp, migration minister: Raise the flag, sing the national anthem ?, eat another Xmas dinner, get drunk, sleep.

Torcuil Crichton, Labour MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar: Christmas wasn’t even a public holiday in Scotland until 1958 and tremors of the Reformation could still be felt when I grew up in the islands in the ’60s. So, no big traditions but I’ll take a ritual walk into the past, out to the high cliffs of Swordale, to the site of the old temple, trying to recall the Gaelic and Norse place names my late father taught me as I go.

Stephen Flynn, Scottish National Party Westminster leader: Tradition-wise — don’t really have any, but at your insistence (I’m) going to start a new one which simply involves watching a re-run of Scotland v Denmark with a side of Balvenie.

Zack Polanski, Green Party leader: Boxing Day for me is blissfully simple — a long walk to clear my head, far too much leftover chocolate, and collapsing in front of Gogglebox. After a year of relentless politics, there’s something grounding about sitting with my boyfriend and just watching TV.

Mel Stride, shadow chancellor: Boxing Day kicks off with an early ice cold wild swim, something I do all year round. I towel off and head home for a strong black Americano. Lunchtime sees a pint at our local with family, followed by a long family lunch. Later there may be a Vesper Martini (or two) and plenty of Christmas music.

Emily Thornberry, Foreign Affairs Committee chair: My French nephew’s here on Boxing Day, so it’s hot ham night. First the triple smoked ham spends Xmas night in the bath… 

Lucy Rigby, city minister: Mid-morning run followed by four generations (15 of us) gathering for lunch at my parents. Usually turkey pie and all hands on deck with the cooking. Then a highly competitive few rounds of the cereal box game (injuries, disputes and accusations of secret training are common). There may also be a round of the tortilla challenge if my children get their way…

Heidi Alexander, transport secretary: Turkey sandwiches with left over stuffing, cherry tomatoes, Branston Pickle and mayonnaise. Very specific!

Richard Tice, deputy Reform leader: Looking forward to walking off Xmas turkey by meandering to the pub with the dog, followed by some film watching especially “Top Gun: Maverick.” Determined to stay off social media but concerned may go cold turkey!

Jonathan Reynolds, chief whip: Usually, our tradition is to go to the football with my kids and my dad but now Sunderland are back in the Premier League, I guess it will have to be a 28 December tradition…

Jo Stevens, Welsh secretary: Christmas dinner fry up butty (favourite meal of the holiday). Watch Ashes cricket (another century for Joe Root anyone?) and rugby.

Sadiq Khan, London mayor: Christmas Day is about relaxing, celebrating with my family and walking Luna. But Boxing Day is all about hitting the shops, searching for bargains and having to take fashion tips from my daughters… Then I get home and catch up on the football — but I doubt Liverpool will be top this Christmas.

Eluned Morgan, Welsh first minister: Christmas Day is the only day of the year that I’m the boss in the kitchen. Our door is always open and Boxing Day is a day to relax with our large extended family. I hate waste — especially food waste so any left overs will be transformed into another dish — turkey sandwiches or turkey curry. There is always a sing song, we take turns on the DJ decks and of course we rewatch “Gavin and Stacey” Christmas specials — we know all the words!

Jeremy Corbyn, former Labour leader: I try to spend Boxing Day at my allotment. What better way to spread festive joy than to sow some seeds for new life!

Liz Truss, ex-PM: Last year I played golf with my nephews, but it hasn’t become a tradition… yet.

Sorcha Eastwood, Alliance MP for Lagan Valley: Crack out the toffee mallow slice contraband (Northern Ireland’s best traybake, that I save for after Christmas when I can properly enjoy it), cook a gammon dinner for the family, and then settle in for the annual debate: is it Boxing Day or St Stephen’s Day?

Claire Hanna, Social Democratic and Labour Party leader and MP for Belfast South and Mid Down: Boxing Day (St Stephen’s Day over here) is a day for doing very little, the hard work finished. As of last year, when my teenagers found the ‘recipe’ on TikTok, we do the leftovers as a Christmas chip — turkey, ham, stuffing, sprouts and gravy piled onto fresh chips (Santa had just brought an air fryer). I’m secretly looking forward to it.

Kim Leadbeater, Labour MP: Boxing Day starts with a lie-in (to sleep off the excesses of Christmas day) followed by a brisk walk for some fresh air at the Jo Cox Community Wood in the heart of Spen Valley, and then it’s off to the footy to watch Huddersfield Town try and secure a win. Then back home snuggled up in my pyjamas for a cosy Christmas movie. No emails, no social media and hopefully no politics!

David Hughes, Lobby chair: I’ll check the overnight Ashes score and inevitably need a drink. But before I can indulge, I’ll go for a bracing walk with my dog Bowie (named after Ziggy Stardust, not the shadow Scottish secretary) in the local park then fry up the leftover Christmas veg for bubble and squeak, topped with a fried egg.

Luke Tryl, More in Common pollster: Boxing Day is all about binging box sets, and with the second half of the final series of “Stranger Things” (huge fan) being released on Xmas Day, I won’t be moving from the TV.

Alex Davies-Jones, justice minister: Boxing Day in the Davies-Jones household consists of the 3 C’s: Chocolate, cheese and chaos! The house is full of people, we eat too much, drink even more, play games, and sing songs! I always host the annual Christmas quiz (which gets highly competitive) and we have fun.

Chris Philp, shadow home secretary: It’s a massive lump of beef cooked on an outside BBQ. Slow cooked for tenderness and a bit of a blast at the end for a crispy outer coating.

Dawn Butler, Labour MP: I make fried rice (rice and peas) with chopped up turkey and tomato ketchup.

Nusrat Ghani, deputy Commons speaker: Extended family descend on Boxing Day and half want to walk Ashdown Forest the other half want to stay in doors — Turkey is spruced in more butter and curry spices and it’s Day 2 of making massive Yorkshire puddings with guests giving me unsolicited cooking and hosting advice.

Earl of Kinnoull Charles Hay, hereditary-turned-life peer: Boxing Day for us is a huge brunch and I am the scrambled egg chef. The clan may take some time to gather, but it is a great dish as it can last in the warmer. It is also the necessary fuel for family cards after.

Priti Patel, shadow foreign secretary: Our Boxing Day will be spent watching the King George VI Chase from Kempton Park and most likely eating a few turkey and stuffing sandwiches!

Rhun ap Iorwerth, Plaid Cymru leader: We’re very traditional — cooking up the Christmas leftovers, then heading out for a family walk. We’re lucky to live on Ynys Môn, with so many beautiful places right on our doorstep. Simple, yes, but it’s my favourite way to spend Boxing Day with the family.

Daisy Cooper, deputy Lib Dem leader: Leftover pigs in blankets for breakfast, re-runs of Wallace and Gromit in the afternoon, and then the obligatory walk — so long as it ends up with a pint in the pub.