Sir Keir Starmer accused of using ‘blinkered left-wing ideology’ after refusing private healthcare when most Labour voters would use it

Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of ‘blinkered Left-wing ideology’ for refusing to make use of non-public well being when even most Labour ­supporters would achieve this.

Insisting the well being service ‘runs by means of my DNA’, he mentioned: ‘I do not use non-public well being – I take advantage of the NHS.’

The remarks, in final week’s ITV election debate, contrasted with Rishi Sunak’s declaration that he would go non-public if wanted.

A YouGov ballot yesterday confirmed 72 per cent of Labour Social gathering supporters would use the non-public sector to keep away from lengthy ready lists if they may afford to.

Solely 16 per cent of Labour ­voters shared Sir Keir’s stance.

A YouGov ballot yesterday confirmed 72 per cent of Labour Social gathering supporters would use the non-public sector to keep away from lengthy ready lists if they may afford to. Solely 16 per cent of Labour ­voters shared Sir Keir’s stance

So as to add to his embarrassment, the Tories highlighted how three of Labour’s largest union backers – Unite, Unison and the GMB – supply members non-public well being packages.

Unison, the most important union with 1.4 million members, gives an non-obligatory ‘well being plan’ that offers a reimbursement on ‘on a regular basis well being care prices comparable to journeys to the dentist and opticians’ plus assist with the price of ‘specialist consultations’.

And Unite gives a Well being Money Plan which it says is ‘a simple, low-cost method to take care of your important medical necessities’ and ‘a reimbursement in direction of specialist diagnostic session charges’.

Final night time, Unison insisted its scheme was ‘not a non-public healthcare scheme – it is a fee plan to assist low-paid care, faculty, well being, police and council employees unfold the price of remedy which is not coated by the NHS’.

Tory candidate for Peterborough Paul Bristow, a former member of the Commons well being and social care committee, mentioned: ‘For those who’re providing assist to get a session with a specialist, that is a approach of getting sooner remedy than on the NHS. 

‘There’s nothing incorrect with that except you are peddling the type of blinkered Left-wing ideology which Sir Keir is doing.

‘Beneath that reasonable, pragmatist picture Sir Keir is making an attempt to promote to voters lurks old school Leftie who will wreak havoc if he does get into No 10.’

Final night time, a Labour spokesman mentioned: ‘‘That is determined stuff from the Tories. We need to see the NHS treating extra folks, extra shortly, extra effectively, and we consider spare capability, together with within the non-public sector, ought to be used to attain this. 

‘We do not consider in forcing folks to pay so that they get the remedy they deserve.’