With the new variant spreading rapidly across the nation, Tory MP for Dudley North, Marco Longhi has claimed the Labour leader has “sat on the fence” throughout the pandemic. Boris Johnson has previously labelled the leader of the Opposition as “captain hindsight”, with some commentators criticising the leader for allegedly waiting until a Government announcement before revealing his own strategy. Speaking to Express.co.uk, the Tory MP hit out at Sir Keir for criticising the Government for its decision-making during the pandemic.
Instead of announcing his own party’s standpoint, Mr Longi claimed the Labour leader had failed to make any decisive decisions and has “played politics”.
Mr Longhi said: “I’m afraid to say that Starmer is playing politics.
“What we’ve seen is on big decisions, Starmer has sat on the fence.”
The MP did acknowledge the Government had changed its approach on schools due to the new variant ripping through London and the South East in particular.
Mr Longhi did add, however, the Labour leader has only made his own decision at the very latest moment.
He added: “Now that the virus has shown to be more virulent, there’s had to be a change of direction from the Government.
“So it’s easy for Starmer, to say ‘we should’ve done this much sooner’.
“He’s always got a 50/50 chance of getting it right when he gets off the fence at the last moment.”
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Just hours later, ahead of the Prime Minister’s announcement, Sir Keir claimed schools should now close and a full lockdown should be called.
Speaking to the media, Sir Keir Starmer said: “We need to go back to where we were in March with very, very strong messaging about staying at home.
“I’m afraid that the closure of schools is now inevitable and therefore that needs to be part of the national plan for further restrictions.”
Some allies of the Labour leader did insist Sir Keir did not feel comfortable calling for a lockdown until the Government officially announced its measures.
Despite seemingly changing his stance on the matter, Sir Keir did state his party would support the Government over the restrictions.
Indeed 193 Labour MPs did vote with the Government with just six abstaining from the vote.
Sir Keir did, however, that this lockdown must be the last.
He said: “This is the third time the country has been asked to close its doors.
“We need to make sure it’s the last.”
The Labour Party has been approached for comment.
