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Sir Keir Starmer: Boris Johnson lost trust and authority to lead the UK
The BBC reported that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has said, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has lost the trust of his own MPs and the authority to lead the country through a crisis.
It mentioned that at the final PMQs before Christmas, Sir Keir seized on the huge rebellion by Tory MPs over the PM's Covid Plan B.
He said the prime minister was "so weak that without Labour votes last night a vital public health measure would not have got through".
Mr Johnson accused Sir Keir of indulging in "partisan trivia".
The BBC said that on Tuesday evening, 100 Tory MPs defied Mr Johnson's instructions and voted against the introduction of Covid passes in England over concerns it will harm personal freedoms.
This measure - along with mandatory face masks in most indoor settings and compulsory vaccines for NHS staff - became law thanks to Labour support.
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Mr Johnson has not ruled out recalling Parliament during the Christmas break, if further restrictions are needed to curb the spread of the Omicron variant.
But Sir Keir told the PM he needed to "get his house in order" to ensure Conservative MPs would back them, adding: "Labour will follow my leadership and always put the national interest first".
He added: "We can't go on with a prime minister who is too week to lead."
Referring to the ongoing controversy over Christmas parties in Downing Street last year, the Labour leader questioned whether Mr Johnson had the "trust and authority to lead this country," accusing him of undermining public confidence.
Mr Johnson insisted the government is taking a "balanced and proportionate approach" to Covid restrictions.
And he accused Sir Keir of "pompously claiming he wants to rise about party politics - and then playing political games".
The SNP's Westminster leader Ian Blackford said: "A prime minister who can't protect the public is no prime minister at all."
He called for more money to support businesses affected by Covid restrictions.
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The prime minister insisted that his government would continue to work with the Scottish government and the other devolved authorities so that the UK "gets through together".
SDLP MP Colum Eastwood called on the prime minister to resign.
Mr Johnson replied: "No - I am going to get on with protecting the public and making sure we get through this pandemic together as one United Kingdom."
Source: BBC
