ANDREW PIERCE: ‘Son of toil’ Sir Keir Starmer’s £20,000 workwear invoice
Sir Keir Starmer gave his man-of-the-people routine another outing last week, talking about his working-class upbringing as the son of a toolmaker and how he ‘knows what that feels like to struggle with bills’.
But when he hit the campaign trail in Brighton later that day the Labour leader was wearing a hooded jacket made by Paris fashion brand Sandro, on sale in Harrods for — wait for it — £519.
And it may not be the last time we see him sporting premium designer wear in the run-up to the election. For I can reveal that Labour peer Waheed Alli, former chairman of online fashion brand Asos — who is worth an estimated £200 million — has given Starmer almost £20,000 to pimp up his wardrobe.
According to Sir Keir’s entry in the Register of Members’ Interests, this includes £16,200 for ‘work clothes’ and £2,485 for ‘multiple pairs of glasses’.
The latter contribution will be particularly appreciated by the would-be PM because he has a penchant for pricey eyeware. Earlier this year, he was spotted in a pair of £500 spectacles by Danish luxury brand Lindberg.
As a self-declared socialist, surely he should have gone to Specsavers.
Sir Keir Starmer gave his man-of-the-people routine another outing last week, talking about his working-class upbringing as the son of a toolmaker and how he ‘knows what that feels like to struggle with bills’
Jeremy’s family values
A long pause on TV last week when Chancellor Jeremy Hunt was pressed by Sky News’s Kay Burley about why he won’t lift VAT on pet food. ‘I understand how important pets are in people’s lives,’ he said. ‘Poppy [his labrador] is the most favourite person in my life.’
After an icy glare from Burley, he hastily added: ‘After my wife and kids of course!’
Tales from the campaign trail: Labour’s Jess Phillips: ‘Woman on doorstep: ‘Hi Jess, you helped me back to work in the pandemic.’ Me: ‘So I assume you will vote for me?’ Woman: ‘Well, I’m not sure. It was annoying. I was enjoying the lockdown’.’
No wonder Jeremy Corbyn is running as an independent. He recently took a £5,000 donation from We Deserve Better, which supports the election of ‘Socialist candidates’ over Labour MPs.
Labour’s rules are clear that any member ‘declaring an intention to stand in a public election in opposition to a party candidate’ will be excluded from the party.
So did Corbyn jump before he was pushed?
No wonder Jeremy Corbyn is running as an independent. He recently took a £5,000 donation from We Deserve Better, which supports the election of ‘Socialist candidates’ over Labour MPs
The main parties aren’t the only ones trying to recruit candidates at very short notice. If you’ve ever had an ambition to stand for the Monster Raving Loony Party, now is your chance.
The party is appealing for candidates to join the 25 already selected. ‘We are ready, willing and able as ever to deliver Sensible Loonism to the nation,’ says their website. You should be prepared to argue deep potholes must be marked with a plastic duck and believe that anybody over five years old should have the vote.
Clocking up the votes
Broadcaster Iain Dale resigned from LBC to become a Conservative candidate but then withdrew after it emerged he had been rude about his proposed constituency.
When he made a bid to win North Norfolk in 2005, his canvassing led him to the home of an old lady who ushered him into her house with the words: ‘Can you help me? You’ll find the Durex on the sideboard.’
Dale was relieved to discover she meant Duracell. She wanted her clock battery changed.
