Keir Starmer has strongly criticized Nigel Farage for his recent actions in the US, accusing him of neglecting his responsibilities in the UK. The Prime Minister condemned Farage’s decision to advocate for sanctions on countries limiting free speech while disparaging Britain.
Farage’s absence from Prime Minister’s Questions, following Parliament’s return from recess, drew Starmer’s ire. Starmer highlighted that Farage chose to disparage the UK abroad instead of representing his constituents in the House he was elected to serve, calling it unpatriotic and disgraceful.
In response to a query from Labour backbencher Lola McEvoy regarding online safety, Starmer expressed concern over Farage’s stance on the Online Safety Act, which aims to safeguard children from online threats. McEvoy questioned whether Reform, Farage’s party, prioritizes protecting children or siding with online predators.
Addressing McEvoy’s concerns, the Prime Minister criticized Farage’s lack of a concrete plan to replace the Online Safety Act, emphasizing the need for substantial solutions rather than vague responses. Farage is expected to criticize the UK’s perceived shift towards authoritarianism and advocate for US intervention in British regulatory affairs.
Additionally, Farage intends to highlight cases like that of Lucy Connolly, imprisoned for inciting racial hatred, and advocate for American companies to be exempt from UK regulatory oversight.