Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
MP hits out at Labour leader ‘snub’ on first visit
Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield has accused Sir Keir Starmer of snubbing her during his first visit to the county as party leader.
The leader of the opposition visited Gillingham on Saturday where he met with prospective councillors at the Labour club there.
His visit comes just less than a month before residents go to the polls on May 4 and he was met with applause by members. But Kent’s only Labour MP Ms Duffield was not in attendance during the Medway rally and suggested this was due to Sir Keir.
In a tweet which has now been seen by more than 66,000 people, the MP for the city and Whitstable area said: “What a shame he didn’t see fit to tell his only Kent MP about his first visit to our county.”
When asked if Ms Duffield had his backing at the next election, after she resigned from her frontbench role over breaking lockdown rules, speaking to KMTV, the KM Group’s TV channel, Sir Keir said: “Rosie Duffield is a really important voice in the Parliamentary Labour party and I want every member of the Parliamentary Labour party to be treated with tolerance and respect. “People are crying out for a bold, reforming Labour government. “Canterbury is a very important seat for us. I also want the party to focus on some of the difficult
issues here.” Ms Duffield’s tweet was met with both sympathy and criticism on social media. “You are right but this is the wrong way to do this. I say that as a supporter,” replied one user. While another advised: “As a constituent of yours, please try to be a united front and rub along with KS so we can get these Tories out and then sort out differences later. Priorities.” Ms Duffield has been a vocal
critic of her party in recent months, comparing being a Labour MP to being in an abusive relationship.
In a column written for website Unherd she suggested the opposition has a “women problem”, after being “shouted down” by colleagues for her stance on trans rights.
Her controversial remark was subsequently referenced by Rishi Sunak in Prime Minister’s question time.
At the Medway event Sir Keir Starmer spoke of wanting to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, hospital waiting lists and spoke out against council tax hikes during the cost of living crisis.
The MP’S visit included meeting and greeting with prospective councillors, giving speeches to members inside the club in Twydall Lane, and speaking to the press.
He said: “I think the very
important thing - and you have seen it this morning here in Medway - is Labour has changed, is facing the voters, is optimistic, and wants to build a better Kent, wants to build a better Britain. “Many people I am meeting here are saying to me they are fed up now with 13 years of a Tory government which has done nothing for them.” Labour and Sir Keir’s office were contacted for further comment about Ms Duffield.