General Election 2024

They are attacking him for saying that he would "clock off work at 6pm
if he became Prime Minister".

They also said "You deserve better than a part-time Prime Minister."

There are two big problems with this.

Problem number one: That's not what he said. The Tories are quoting
selectively out of context, like a film poster which reads
"spectacular effects" when the original review said "spectacular
failure, with lacklustre effects".

It was only ever about Friday evenings, not every day.

Here's what Keir Starmer actually said:

-- transcript starts -- Keir Starmer: We have had a strategy in place and we will try and keep to it, and that it is to carve out really
protected time for the kids. And so on a Friday - I have been doing
this for years - I will not do a work-related thing after 6 o'clock -
pretty well come-what-may. Chris Evans: Regardless? Keir Starmer: Yeh.
Now there are a few exceptions but that's what we do. My son goes
kick-boxing and so I often take him there. My daughter goes swimming
and cheer-leading now, so I have been to see her in cheer-leading
competitions. Chris Evans: So you're going to ringfence that time?
Keir Starmer: Yeh. And I want to. One, because I am a dad and I love
them. They're my pride and joy and I don't want to lose that time.
Two, I don't believe in the theory that you are a better
decision-maker if you don't allow yourself the space to be a dad and
to have fun for your kids. Actually, it helps me. It takes me away
from the pressure. It relaxes me. I think actually, it's not only want
I want to do as a dad, it is better.
-- transcript ends -- SOURCE https://x.com/theousherwood/status/1807840068016497132

Problem number two: There is also an essential and important faith
element to the story.

Keir Starmer has been completely up front about carving out time on
Friday evenings to participate in his wife and family's Shabbat
dinners. This is something he has repeatedly talked about, for many
years, for example in this Jewish Chronicle story of July 2023.
https://thejc.com/news/our-family-treasures-our-shabbat-dinners-says-keir-starmer-hrnmdcu7

So the Tory attack was not only in bad faith (forgive the pun) but it
could also be taken as a slight on Keir Starmer's family's choice of
religious practices.

And yet it's not just the official Conservative Twitter account
putting the boot in. (Tweet linked below, with screenshot in case they
make it go away.) Individual Tory MPs are at it too.

https://x.com/edwinhayward/status/1807898526476607716