German press has been reporting on the freebies the Prime Minister has been landing worth more than £100,000.
As we have all been told to “tighten our belts” Sir Keir Starmer has been accepting invites to Taylor Swift concerts and he has been provided with free designer clothes and tickets to see Arsenal play.
There has been reports that Starmer received a total of £107,000 of freebies and he also accepted a £20,000 worth of accommodation so his son could study for his GCSEs and Angela Rayner accepted £3,500 worth of clothes from the former ASOS chairman in June.
Last week speaking to ITV London the Prime Minister insisted the “security advice is that I can’t go to the stands,” and if he did this would cost the “taxpayer a fortune” with “additional security.”
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To justify this to hard working people who are choosing between eating and heating he stated, “I’ve been offered tickets elsewhere in the ground where it’s more secure.
We don’t have to use taxpayer money on additional security. And that’s why I’ve taken the decision that I have.”
He adds that he believes “I think most people watching this would say, well, fair to think that.”
He was asked what does he think the public will be thinking over the amount of tickets he receives which costs more than most people earn, he claims, “most people” will agree what he is doing is “fair.”
Starmer with a dead pan face said, “I don’t think I can impose that on the taxpayer,” he blatantly added, “So I’ve taken up the offer to sit elsewhere in the stands so I can still see Arsenal play.
The Prime Minister has been branded an “ivory tower leader” as he said, “If I don’t accept a gift of hospitality, I can’t go to a game.”
Ray Massey, Motoring Editor and Columnist for the Daily Mail wrote on X, “I see @Keir_Starmer and @UKLabour are getting lots of coverage in #Germany – for all the wrong reasons including @taylorswift14 tickets & other #freebies.”
He added, “How embarrassing for our nation.”
I see @Keir_Starmer and @UKLabour are getting lots of coverage in #Germany – for all the wrong reasons including @taylorswift13 tickets & other #freebies .
How embarrassing for our nation.
@welt #sleaze #politics #Labour #LAB24 #Schadenfreude pic.twitter.com/wMoxx6ijXK— Ray Massey (@raymasseytweets) September 26, 2024
The German publication Die Welt wrote on 26 September, “British media had reported on this [the freebie controversy] before the conference began. Other high-ranking Labour politicians also came under fire.
“Politicians are allowed to accept gifts, but the news came at an inopportune time in light of announced austerity measures.
“While the British were supposed to tighten their belts, Starmer was being invited to Taylor Swift concerts and was dressed in free designer fashion, or so it was perceived.
“The Prime Minister’s rating plummeted in the polls – after only ten weeks in office.
“After months of peak poll results, which culminated in a landslide victory in the general election in July, the delegates [at the Labour Conference] found out how quickly the trust that many Britons had given the party can be used up.
“With this depressing certainty in mind, the MPs discussed the planned new beginning for Britain after 14 years of Conservative government.”
This month YouGov published that Starmer’s favourability ratings have plummeted and 35% of Brits only have a favourable view of Starmer.
