Keir Starmer Accuses Boris Johnson Of Being A "Super-Spreader" Of Confusion Over Vaccine Certificate Plans
Keir Starmer accused the PM of being a "super-spreader" of confusion
3 min read
Keir Starmer has criticised the government's plans to introduce vaccine certificates for nightclubs and large events from September.
The Labour leader said the country was heading for a "summer of chaos" as he criticised new plans to force people to use vaccine certificates if they wish to attend large events from the autumn.
It comes after Boris Johnson announced earlier this week that people will only be able to attend nightclubs and other venues with large crowds from September if they can demonstrate they have received both jabs.
The plans were announced just days after nightclubs were reopened in England, but were described by chief scientific advicer Patrick Vallance as "potential super spreader events" due to the high risk of transmitting the disease.
But in a PMQs clash, Starmer said: "I remember when [Johnson] used to say he'd eat an ID card if he ever had to produce one, and now he is introducing one.
"When it comes to creating confusion, the Prime Minister is a super spreader."
He added: "Why is it okay to go to a nightclub for the next six weeks without proof of a vaccine or a test, and then from September it will only be okay to get into a nightclub if you've got a vaccine ID card?"
But Johnson dismissed the criticism, and accused the Labour leader of making "cheap political points".
"Everybody can see that we have to wait until the end of September, by which time, it is only fair to the younger generation when they will all have been offered two jabs before we consider something like asking people to be double jabbed before they go into a nightclub," he said.
"That is blindingly obvious to everybody. It is common sense, and I think most people in this country understand it. Most people in this country want to see younger people being encouraged to get vaccinations.
"That is what he should be doing, rather than trying endlessely to score, what I think, are vacuous political points."
Starmer also accused Johnson of creating confusion over proposed plans to provide exemptions from self-isolation for some workers after days of contradictory statements.
It comes after the PM announced earlier this week that a list of exempt workers would be released, claims which were overturned by his own spokesperson just hours later as they said there would be no "blanket exemption" and that individual businesses and industries should apply for the benefit.
Starmer said it was proof the PM was "making it up" when it comes to self-exemption, as he warned thousands of businesses faced closure over the summer due to the confusion.
"We had a completely unclear announcement on Monday about exemptions, contradictory statements all day yesterday, and now we seem to be back to the confused policy from Monday," he said.
"How on earth are businesses meant to be able to plan when the Prime Minister keeps chopping and changing like this."
Responding to the criticism, Johnson suggested a list would now be published, saying the points were "pretty feeble stuff".
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