Keir Starmer branded 'out of touch' over NHS comments in leadership debate: 'I don't believe a word!'

Keir Starmer branded 'out of touch' over NHS comments in leadership debate: 'I don't believe a word!'

WATCH NOW: Keir Starmer slammed for 'out of touch' comments on the NHS

GB News
Georgia Pearce

By Georgia Pearce


Published: 06/06/2024

- 11:13

Updated: 06/06/2024

- 11:23

Sir Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak went head to head for the first time in this election campaign during a televised debate this week

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has been labelled as "out of touch" following this week's leadership debate, where he made personal claims about the NHS.

When asked by moderator Julie Etchingham if either leader would use private healthcare if the waiting lists were too long, Starmer was adamant that he would not.


Offering a simple answer, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said "yes" he would.

Starmer told ITV's leadership debate: "No, I don't use private health. I use the NHS, where my wife works."

Adam Brooks hit out at Keir Starmer's remarks about the NHS during the leadership debate

PA / GB News

Addressing the remarks on GB News, commentator Adam Brooks criticised the Labour leader and admitted he "doesn't believe a word" of what he said during the debate.

When asked for his thoughts by host Patrick Christys, Brooks said: "I don't believe a word he says, especially on this. I would chop off my left arm, I would do anything, to save a loved one from dying.

"And for him to come out and say that, I think he's mugged himself off. He's embarrassed himself. I think people look at him and think, why should I believe you on anything else?"

Patrick agreed and claimed he "struggles to believe" that "the guy who could well be our Prime Minister would wait a year" for NHS treatment.

Keir Starmer

Keir Starmer claimed during the debate that would 'not use private healthcare'

ITV

Brooks then admitted that he has used private healthcare "for the last 10 years" and is "very lucky" to be able to afford to do so.

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Brooks explained: "I've been lucky enough to be able to afford private healthcare for the last ten, 15 years. I will continue to do that because I would like to think if something happened, I could get my child seen straight away.

"I'm paying twice, with my taxes, and I'm paying private healthcare. Surely I am helping others be seen quicker by doing that."

Journalist Rebecca Reid was in disagreement with the panel and said she believes Starmer "wasn't lying" about not wanting to use private healthcare.

Reid told GB News: "I don't think that he is lying. I think because he wants to be prime minister, he absolutely wouldn't do that. So I think it's true.

Adam Brooks

Brooks claimed Starmer 'embarrassed himself' by not wanting to use private healthcare

GB News

"I have used private healthcare for my child, largely because I wanted to be seen on a day or a time that suited me because I work, not because I wanted to jump a waiting list. So I think when we talk about urgent care, the NHS is amazing for emergencies. They are incredible."

Director of Popular Conservatism, Mark Littlewood, argued that Starmer should have a "moral obligation" to use private healthcare, given his status and suggested net worth.

Littlewood claimed: "I think people worth as much as Keir Starmer, not only should you do this in the interests of your loved ones, I think you have a moral obligation to.

"I wouldn't force people to do this, but I think it's an honourable thing to do. Not just for yourself, but to actually make sure the waiting lists go down."

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