Alistair Strathern, MP for Hitchin, learned ponytails, plaits and bunches in Parliament with the Pints & Ponytails dads' group from The Secret Life of Dads.

Hitchin’s MP, Alistair Strathern, has been back to basics with a hairbrush. He was one of the MPs at a Pints & Ponytails session in Parliament, where the hosts of The Secret Life of Dads podcast, Mathew Carter and Lawrence Price, taught them how to do ponytails, plaits and bunches.

Pints & Ponytails is a group where men talk about mental health, fatherhood and the everyday challenges of parenting while they learn something practical. The idea, as the hosts explained on the day, is that men often find it easier to talk when their hands are busy. Dads pick up skills that make morning routines easier and, according to the organisers, help them connect with their daughters.

Three men in white shirts standing behind a table set with practice heads, pink hairbrushes and combs in a Parliament meeting room, two of them wearing orange visitor lanyards
The Pints & Ponytails session in a Parliament meeting room, with practice heads and brushes on the table. Photo: supplied by the office of Alistair Strathern MP

“It’s not just about ponytails”

Mr Strathern, MP for Hitchin, is a co-founder of the Labour Group for Men and Boys. His office says he has backed schemes that help men become active, present fathers and encourage them to talk about their mental health, and that groups like this one can tackle loneliness, support fathers’ wellbeing and strengthen family relationships.

He said: “Pints & Ponytails is a brilliant scheme to bring dads together and provide a fantastic space to learn from each other.

“While I don’t think I’ll be winning any prizes for hairstyling any time soon, it’s not just about ponytails. It’s about supporting dads to feel confident in getting their daughters ready and connecting with them.

“Speaking to Mat and Lawrence, it’s clear these sessions are already making a big difference for dads across the country, boosting confidence and providing low pressure spaces to open up about the mental health strains we can all face from time to time.”

Paternity leave and mental health

The MP tied the session to his wider campaigning. “From expanding paternity leave to increasing mental health support, I’ve long campaigned in Parliament for greater support for active dads,” he said.

“Pints & Ponytails is a fantastic example of men across the country stepping up to provide the spaces and support every dad should be able to benefit from. A big well done and thank you to Mat and Lawrence for leading the way on this!”

Mr Strathern sends a regular update to constituents, which can be signed up for on his website.