Sir Keir Starmer has been urged by Labour MPs to refrain from accepting gifts amid growing discontent among backbenchers regarding his acceptance of items like clothing and football tickets.
Critics within the party have accused him of “hypocrisy” and “double standards.” Senior figures are reportedly “livid” over his choice to accept numerous gifts, with one MP warning that it creates the impression he is “more interested in himself” than in addressing the nation’s challenges.
The controversy escalated this week when Starmer was accused of violating parliamentary rules by failing to declare that Lord Alli, a wealthy Labour donor, purchased clothes for his wife. Despite this, Starmer has indicated he will continue accepting gifts from the media mogul, asserting that “the important thing is that they’re declared in accordance with the rules.”
On Thursday, Baroness Harman, the former deputy Labour leader, criticized Starmer for trying to “justify” the gifts, stating it is “making things worse.” In response, several Labour MPs have called on him to reject any further “freebies” and concentrate on serving the constituents who elected him.
One left-wing backbencher told The Telegraph, “He should stop accepting freebies immediately. It gives the impression he cares more about himself than about the hardships facing the poorest in our country, whom we are meant to represent. I don’t know anyone who thinks this is a good idea. Friends and colleagues are mortified.”
Another MP from Labour’s centrist faction criticized the Prime Minister for accepting complimentary tickets to sporting and cultural events. “He claims he needs to sit in posh seats for protection, ultimately saving us money,” the MP stated. “But many of these freebies were when he was Leader of the Opposition—does he really think he needed more protection then, when he was relatively unknown, than as Prime Minister?”
They added, “Many of us senior Labour backbenchers are furious. This is what hypocrisy looks like, and most of us have been fighting against the ‘they’re all the same’ narrative throughout our careers. Keir’s double standards only reinforce that perception.”
“They pay their own way, and we should stay closely connected to our constituents,” one MP stated. They emphasized that “all MPs need to reflect” on the appropriateness of accepting gifts, adding, “Whenever I hear these stories, I’m horrified and wonder, where did the Labour Party come from?”
The MP continued, “The party was founded by working people seeking a better life, and that should be our primary focus—not what we can extract from the system. It feels like we’ve completely lost our direction and purpose.”
They expressed a desire to distance themselves from this trend, highlighting that the party has a moral framework rooted in its values, which this behavior contradicts.
On Friday, Jess Phillips, the safeguarding minister, called the controversy surrounding Lord Alli’s donations to Labour an “annoying” distraction but insisted that the Government would continue “cracking on” with its work.
Alli’s donations have included tens of thousands of pounds for clothing, accommodation, and “multiple pairs” of spectacles for Sir Keir, along with £5,000 for clothing and personal shopping for his wife, Lady Starmer.
