Abstract
In Britain there is no official role equivalent to the First Lady, which in itself is largely governed by convention; this means that British political partners have a freedom to be defined in a way that suits the wider campaign. This chapter considers how the private life of party leaders comes to the fore in election campaigns through the increased visibility of their partners. It explores how we can understand reporting on political partners in different electoral contexts as well as the impact of gender. It explores shifts in reporting on partners, from the dampening of coverage when a female leader is in power, to the move from a passive, supportive role to an increased appreciation of a politically active partner.