Keir Starmer accused of 'playing politics' after he orders Labour to ABSTAIN in ...

View
comments

Sir Keir Starmer was accused of 'playing politics' in the middle of the pandemic after he ordered his MPs to sit out a crucial vote tonight on the rules that will replace lockdown.  

Labour will abstain on the Commons vote on whether to adopt the stiffened three-tier system wanted by the Government, a move that will expose Tory fault-lines on the divisive issue.

But the move, revealed late last night, will also allow Sir Keir to quieten a rebellion on his own backbenches.

Some MPs from Northern areas that will be placed in the strictest Tier 3 were furious that the party originally indicated it would vote with the Government.

The abstention means that the Government is almost certain to win the vote, despite a hefty Tory rebellion over the economic threat they believe the tiers pose.

The PM has failed to quell rising fury on his own benches about the draconian restrictions, which will leave 99 per cent of England under the toughest two levels from tomorrow.

After Sir Kier's announcement, a No10 spokesman said: 'This pandemic is one of the biggest challenges facing the country in decades and Labour have decided to abstain on it.

'While Keir Starmer claims he offers new leadership, it's clear to all that he actually offers no leadership at all.

'Keir Starmer is playing politics in the middle of a global pandemic instead of working with the Government to find a way through this difficult time for the British people.'