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15th Aug 2022

Keir Starmer explains why he’s ‘not going to apologise’ for going on holiday during crisis

Danny Jones

Keir Starmer won't apologise over holiday

‘I’m not going to apologise for going on holiday with my wife and kids’

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has explained why he will not apologise for going on holiday amid numerous different crises continuing across the country.

The shadow leader and Holborn-St Pancras MP was pictured on holiday in Majorca with his family over the past week while millions across the country battle with rising energy bills, travel disruptions due to rail strikes and an overall cost of living crisis – just for starters.

Returning to work and media appearances on Monday, Starmer explained his party’s proposal for freezing energy prices as well as his reasoning behind taking a break during such a crucial time for the nation, stating simply: “I’m a dad”.

As you can see in his response to Sally Nugent’s line of questioning, he said “I’ve got a very important job as leader of the Labour Part, leader of the opposition, but I’ve also got another job that’s really important which is I’m a dad, and I’m not going to apologise for going on holiday with my wife and kids.

The 59-year-old father of two went on to clarify, “it’s he first time we’ve had a real holiday for about three years, adding that he and his team have been “working on [Labour‘s energy plan] for the best part of about two months”, including during his holiday.

Prior to jetting off to the Balearic Islands, Starmer also came under criticism for sacking his Shadow Transport minister Sam Tarry for joining the RMT (Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers Union) picket line.

Fellow frontbencher and Minister for Levelling Up Lisa Nandy also challenging the party line by similarly standing alongside the Communication Workers Union (CWU) in Wigan the following Monday.

Meanwhile, outgoing Prime Minister Boris Johnson has also been spotted out shopping in Greece on his second holiday in a matter of weeks.

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