During a recent debate, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer stated he would never pay for private healthcare, even if it meant helping a relative who needed life-saving care. This stance has sparked significant controversy and criticism. Columnist Patrick O'Flynn and others have labeled the position as 'weird' and 'baffling,' questioning Starmer's commitment to his family over ideological purity. Jon Ashworth, Labour's Shadow Minister, defended Starmer's comments, emphasizing the party's confidence in the NHS. Critics argue that this position contradicts Labour's policy of using the private sector to reduce NHS waiting lists. Starmer reiterated his '100% confidence' in the NHS, citing personal experiences with the healthcare system. Meanwhile, a YouGov poll revealed that 74% of Britons would opt for private healthcare if they could afford it, highlighting a disconnect between Starmer's stance and public opinion. In contrast, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated he would use private healthcare for a relative. Starmer, who earned £128,000 last year, has faced questions about his financial ability to afford private care.
Keir Starmer branded 'out of touch' over NHS comments in leadership debate: 'I don't believe a word!' https://t.co/qXQCsBsOM8
‘I wouldn’t criticise Starmer on a life or death decision, or Sunak.’ Kevin Maguire reacts to the criticism received by Starmer for his comments made criticising the use of private healthcare. https://t.co/8uR5pME3ak
'I don't believe he's so ideologically opposed to it he'd make his loved ones suffer.' @BenKentish criticises Keir Starmer's 'political naivety' for claiming he would never use private healthcare, suggesting he only said this as he 'didn't want to look out of touch'. https://t.co/etmcjnZhve
‘I’d do anything to save a loved one, and I think he’s mugged himself off, he’s embarrassed himself, and people will be wondering why should they trust anything he says?’ @EssexPR Adam Brooks isn't at all convinced with Keir Starmer saying he'd NEVER use private healthcare. https://t.co/SPYSlmS9CL
Sir Keir Starmer said he would not criticise people who chose to use private schools or private healthcare ✍️: @cjmckeon https://t.co/8ylQYNLs0C
Labour frontbenchers have insisted they would not use private healthcare after Sir Keir Starmer ruled out doing so in the #ITVDebate https://t.co/MVteltdljP
At the debate last night the leaders were asked if they would pay for private healthcare for a relative waiting for surgery - Sunak said he would, Starmer said he would not Asked today, 74% of Britons say that, assuming they could afford it, they would definitely or probably go… https://t.co/pimxmj2pda
Keir Starmer says he had '100% confidence in the NHS' - rules out going private https://t.co/XbbxV4udJs https://t.co/yqYYIE5NQr
Keir Starmer says he's '100% confident' in NHS that cared for his mum and rules out going private https://t.co/Ntu3nWenZ7
NEW Here are Sir Keir Starmer answers to me on his refusal to pay for private health care for a sick relative stuck on a NHS waiting list waiting for life saving care: GBN: ... you were paid £128,000 last year by Parliament to be Leader of the Opposition and a MP - would you not…
Last night Starmer answered that he would never pay for private healthcare, even if a loved one desperately needed it. Meanwhile, Labour run #Bassetlaw District Council recently voted against Conservative proposals to scrap taxpayer funded private healthcare for council workers…
How could Keir Starmer prove that he supports the NHS rather than private profits? #ITVDebate Commit to bring the 94% of private contracts that would be up for renewal in Labour's FIRST TERM in government back into the NHS https://t.co/W0uSLFyHJL https://t.co/z2ZoJX1jH0
Anyone who would deny their loved ones proper healthcare because "ar NHS" is psychotic. Or, as in Starmer's case, just a liar.
An underplayed moment from the debate last night: Starmer says he would put his ideological purity toward the NHS before the needs of a sick loved one... Yet its Labour policy to use private sector to get waiting lists down? Baffling answer, at best. https://t.co/9rjAZSY6Z8 https://t.co/KPn3za7p9k
Jon Ashworth reiterating Keir Starmer’s extraordinary claim that he wouldn’t want an ill family member to get treated privately, even if they were languishing on an NHS waiting list. Even if going private was “the only way forward”. Is this really a changed Labour Party?
Starmer: I Would Let Relative Die Rather Than Use Private Healthcare https://t.co/iJ5nCjvDA4 https://t.co/RpHwkF2Lmp
Keir Starmer said he would never pay for private health care, even if it meant helping a relative who needed it. Isn't this... a bit weird? Labour Shadow Minister @JonAshworth says not. @lewis_goodall https://t.co/ljggpDJEvC
'To actually say he wouldn't prioritise his own family, I think most people would think that's a little bit weird, but Labour is a bit weird.' Columnist and Political Commentator, Patrick O'flynn, on Keir Starmer's comment that he would not use private healthcare for his family. https://t.co/pMzfXnBSqH
Either Starmer would sooner let a loved one die than use private healthcare or he's lying. Neither is encouraging.