Reform UK MP Lee Anderson challenged Sir Keir Starmer over delayed local elections in a fiery PMQs clash, with the Prime Minister later calling on Nigel Farage to explain himself
Sir Keir Starmer was robustly confronted about postponed local elections during a PMQs exchange.
Reform MP Lee Anderson demanded the Prime Minister provide assurances that council polls delayed from earlier this year, along with those scheduled for next May, would definitely proceed. Nigel Farage’s party expressed fury that ballots were deferred due to local government reorganisation, with the right-wing party alleging this affected constituencies where they expected strong performances.
Addressing the Commons, Mr Anderson declared: “Whilst the Labour frontbench continue to peddle their own form of dog whistle politics, Reform UK are cracking on with the day job. Our Reform-led councils have already identified savings of over £330 million in the first six months.
“The Prime Minister may shake his head propped up by these gullible backbenchers, but here’s the challenge. Will he guarantee, will he ensure that all the council elections from this year and the proposed local elections for next year will go ahead in May 2024. Go on, be a man.”
Sir Keir hit back by challenging Reform leader Nigel Farage to address allegations of racist conduct during his school years, reports the Express.
The Prime Minister responded: “I didn’t realise he’s quite so good at stand-up comedy. He talks about dog whistle, last week his leader said he didn’t have time to condemn the racist comments of his fellow MP for Runcorn.
“He also said he didn’t have time to condemn his party calling children in care evil. I wonder if he can ask his leader next door to him whether he’s got time for his explanation for the stories in today’s papers.”
A spokesperson for Mr Farage subsequently stated he refutes the claims and might pursue legal proceedings.
The attack came as Sir Keir has come under increasing pressure over his future as the country’s leader.
According to a YouGov poll done for The Times, 23% of Labour votes think Starmer should save face and quit now.
While another 22% want him gone before the next election – with just 34% wanting him to stick around and lead the party into the next General Election.
However, a defiant Prime Minister told the Mirror: “Let me be really clear – every minute that’s not spent talking about and dealing with the cost of living is a minute wasted of the political work of this Government.
He said, just days after an apparent plot to oust him: “Let me be really clear – every minute that’s not spent talking about and dealing with the cost of living is a minute wasted of the political work of this Government.
That’s my response to last week. I remain utterly focused on what matters to me most, which is bearing down on the cost of living and making people feel better off. I’m very conscious of the fact that people want to get on in life, they want to progress, they want more money in their pocket to do the things that matter to them.
“Give their kids a treat, go out for a meal, have a holiday, get on and progress, and feel safe and secure. These are human things that matter hugely to me in terms of how people feel about themselves, their family and their community. Everything we’re doing is to make them better off, and every minute we waste on other issues is a minute we’re not bearing down on that.”
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