Keir Starmer wants a ‘circuit-breaker’ lockdown – 11 strong reactions
Just a day after Chris Whitty revealed the minutes of a SAGE meeting showing that the Science Advisory Group for Emergencies had asked the government to implement a short ‘circuit-break’ lockdown, Keir Starmer asked them to do the same.
You can watch the short speech here, if you feel inclined, but this is how he tweeted about it.
We are at a decisive moment in the fight against the coronavirus.
That’s why I'm calling for a circuit break in England – to protect the NHS, fix testing and get control of the virus.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 13, 2020
The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg shared the words of an unnamed “government source”.
“Keir Starmer is a shameless opportunist playing political games in the middle of a global pandemic.“
Matt Chorley, among others, wasn’t impressed by that.
Senior government source responds to Starmer:
'Keir Starmer is a shameless opportunist."Senior source close to the pot: "The kettle is black"
— Matt Chorley (@MattChorley) October 13, 2020
Boris Johnson‘s nickname for Keir Starmer, ‘Captain Hindsight’ trended on Twitter, as the Labour leader was criticised for the stance, but many had a different rank to award.
If Keir Starmer is "Captain Hindsight".
This must be "Major Oversight". pic.twitter.com/7JU6vOkN6K— Harry Bush (@bushmeister22) October 13, 2020
Here’s how much of Twitter responded to the development.
1.
People accusing @Keir_Starmer of 'playing politics' with his call for a circuit break lockdown don't seem to understand that he's the one endorsing the SAGE advice and it's Boris 'I follow the science' Johnson who's playing politics & ignoring it.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 13, 2020
2.
I do know my measures are not enough.
I do know a circuit breaker is needed.
But now that Keir Starmer has called for one, that is the one thing I will never ever do.#circuitbreaker pic.twitter.com/eovy6xPiLy— Parody Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson_MP) October 13, 2020
3.
If Starmer is to be called Captain Hindsight, Johnson must be Major Cockup surely?#BorisHasFailedTheNation #LiarJohnson
— Nat Sommers 🔶🇬🇧🇪🇺 ‘Do-Gooder’ (@Weeblebum) October 13, 2020
4.
The Leader of the Opposition thinks the government should follow the advice of the government's scientific advisers. The government disagrees.
(It's worth reading that twice.)— James O'Brien (@mrjamesob) October 13, 2020
5.
One thing we learned from the first wave of #COVID19 was that a proper lockdown will quickly reduce the infection rate, hospitalisations and deaths.
So we won't be doing that again.#circuitbreaker— Parody Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson_MP) October 13, 2020
6.
Sterling efforts to get 'Captain Hindsight' trending from the friends of #CaptainGobShite pic.twitter.com/FpEUZ0teOB
— Mr Eton Oldboys MP (@EtonOldBoys) October 13, 2020
