Starmer defended himself by blaming the Conservatives for “dragging the country down”
Every time the late Conservative UK administration was engulfed in scandal (which was fairly often), Labour ministers toured the airwaves, deploring the corruption at the heart of government, and piously promising that they would restore ethics and integrity when they were elected.
But within weeks, new PM Keir Starmer has been accused of cronyism, appointing multiple political figures — including one who donated £20,000 to Chancellor Rachel Reeves — to key positions in the civil service, which is constitutionally required to be impartial and apolitical. Topping it all was the revelation that Starmer’s largest personal donor, TV tycoon Waheed Ali, had been given an all-areas access pass to 10 Downing Street, highly unusual for anyone outside government. Number 10 says the pass was only temporary, and Ali no longer holds it.
Speaking to reporters after a much-trailed speech about his commitment to service and renewal, among other platitudes, Starmer defended himself by blaming the Conservatives for “dragging the country down.” A rather novel defense for hypocrisy, wouldn’t you say?
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