KEIR Starmer has backed UK Government moves to ramp up the Covid booster jab programme in England as he delivered a televised address – but faced criticism on social media for doing so in front of a large Union flag.
The Labour leader warned that the NHS is in danger of being “overwhelmed” by the emergence of the new Omicron variant.
He said that it was essential to put the national interest first as he urged people to “stick to the rules” and get their top-up injections.
Boris Johnson announced on Sunday that every eligible adult in England was to be offered a third dose of the vaccine by the end of December.
In a televised address in response, Starmer said ministers should have acted sooner in the face of the threat from the fast-spreading Omicron strain.
“We may not be certain how dangerous it is but we do know that lives are at risk and again our NHS is at risk of being overwhelmed,” he said.
“If that happens more people will die.
“So we must do everything that we can to protect the NHS.”
A response to Johnson's statement by Mark Drakeford was broadcast on the BBC in Wales, with Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to deliver her response on Tuesday.
National columnist Ruth Wishart was among those to criticise Starmer over his backdrop.
She wrote: "Rather dispiriting that Keir Starmer has caught the giant union flag as backdrop habit."
Twitter user Rhoda Miller had an additional concern, saying: "As @Keir_Starmer was only addressing England, why the Union Flag in the background?"
Rather dispiriting that Keid Starmer has caught the giant union flag as backdrop habit.
— ruth wishart (@ruth_wishart) December 13, 2021
As @Keir_Starmer was only addressing England, why the Union Flag in the background?
— Rhoda Miller (@RhodaMiller14) December 13, 2021
Who did it better? pic.twitter.com/bEY8S587sN
— Ewan Gibbs (@ewangibbs) December 13, 2021
Disappointing to see the Union flag behind Starmer. Not necessary. We know what our flag looks like. #Starmer
— Jude 🇪🇺 💙🌹 (@jude5456) December 13, 2021
It is rather redundant, isn't it, a tad tiresome to see it rolled out unnecessarily & unnaturally, (he doesn't always have one there, I'm certain).
— 🏴☠️ Article_50 #FBPE 🏴☠️💙 (@Article5014) December 13, 2021
However, I thought he presented infinitely better than the disaster in No. 10 currently, I'm mean, full sentences, that made sense!
Watching Starmer broadcast. Cleverly portrays Labour as rule observant and not ‘playing politics’ with Covid. Did we need the flag and the nod to ‘patriotism’?
— Bob Hudson (@Bob__Hudson) December 13, 2021
In his statement, Starmer said delivering the accelerated booster jab programme would be a “big challenge” but that he was confident the public would rise to meet it.
“Time and time again the British people have risen to the challenge so let’s pull together now and do the right thing once more,” he said.
“At times like this, we must all put the national interest first and play by the rules.
“Of course I understand that sticking to the rules can be inconvenient but stick to the rules we must.
“It would be easy to let the festivities we’ve all been looking forward to, divert us from our national duty.
“Getting jabbed, wearing masks and working from home if we can really will help prevent infections and help prevent the NHS being overwhelmed.”
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