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I'd absolutely take a free offer of a flat, but then I'm not PM and didn't campaign (partly) on taking the grift out of politics. Making a distinction between a rich friend paying for a suite at the Dorchester and offering an empty property seems like sophistry to me - they're both receiving something of value. Where do you draw the line?
Responding to an question or accusation with a counter accusation is whataboutery, right? I'll stipulate that Johnson was as picture perfect example of corruption as it's possible to find in UK politics, but that does nowt to address the issue of Starmer accepting hospitality.
Jung
That's not remotely it though is it?
He's wealthy and has properties, so he lent one to Starmer's son to use to get away from the press and limelight. It's in exactly the same bracket as Rayner spending NYE in his place in New York. If you knew someone with an empty flat in NYC and wanted a holiday would you take it? Full disclosure my BIL used to have a place in the Costa del Sol and we once stayed there for free.
Does is suck that, that isn't available to everyone? Yes, of course. In the same way that having a parent die before your exams isn't fair. Or having enough money for one parent not to work so they can support and coach you isn't fair.
What is the crux of the issue here? That Lord Alli, Labour member of the house of Lords of >25yrs who's been key in their fundraising efforts has too much contact with the Labour Party? It's not whataboutism to reference Johnson's flat it's a spot on compare and contrast that highlights why they're not the same issue.