Not Funny: Boris Johnson on Marcus Rashford, Starmer & food parcels
Labour leader Keir Starmer pressed Boris Johnson on replacement school meals food parcels at Prime Minister’s Questions on 13th January. Johnson inevitably used the occasion for some political theatre. It was effective but entirely hypocritical.
It’s the Tories who handed the contract for food parcels to their mates Chartwells with predictable results. Starmer has been critical before today. Johnson’s response aside from suggesting that his main concern was that he might end up with a food parcel himself for lunch, played to discontents with Starmer’s leadership, particularly on the left.
I’m on the record (Guardian) as noting that Starmer is on a steep learning curve as a Party leader and progress seems slow. That said the issue here is Johnson and his Government. Entertaining theatre? Ordinarily yes but not when the subject is such a serious and indeed deadly one. Over 1500 people were reported as dead from COVID-19 as Johnson quipped his way through PMQs.
Johnson struggles with gravitas every time.
Marcus Rashford continues to do a great job by the way, tho not quite so sure about the football…
PMQs 13th January
I do not think anybody in this House is happy with the disgraceful images that we have seen of the food parcels that have been offered. They are appalling; they are an insult to the families who have received them. I am grateful, by the way, to Marcus Rashford, who highlighted the issue and is doing quite an effective job, by comparison with the right hon. and learned Gentleman, of holding the Government to account for these issues. The company in question has rightly apologised and agreed to reimburse.
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