In simpler times the Tories called Keir Starmer “Sir Sleepy” all the way back in late May after he took a break from campaigning on a Sunday. The attack was mostly ineffective. Starmer let them bring that line back by telling Virgin Radio yesterday:
“We’ve had a strategy in place and we’ll try to keep to it, which is to carve out really protected time for the kids. So on a Friday – I’ve been doing this for years – I will not do a work-related thing after six o’clock, pretty well come what may. There are a few exceptions, but that’s what we do.”
Sunak said last night: “what time is it now? – I haven’t finished at 6 p.m. ever” and this morning Tories are continuing to jump on the attack. Health Minister Maria Caulfield said on Sky News Starmer was committing to a four-day-week before being immediately ticked off by presenter Matt Barbet. The interview descended into Barbet decrying the “job-before-family” mindset as journalists sympathise with Kipping Keir…
Despite what Starmer may believe, important events which have historically required the input of the PM may occur on a Friday afternoon or evening. Some very limited examples include:
Perhaps deliberately Sunak is campaigning from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. today. The Tories have drawn up a mock schedule for social media in which Starmer hands off to Rayner at 6 p.m. Some jobs can’t be done over Zoom from your bedroom…
Starmer loyalist and Housing Secretary Steve Reed told Sky News that Starmer should not be replaced:
“We saw what the Tories did. They were in power for 14 years, and after 2016, I think we had nine education secretaries, seven chancellors, and five Prime Ministers. Doomscrolling through Prime Ministers doesn’t resolve the problem.”