Blundering Keir Starmer makes awkward Gaza ‘sausages’ gaffe in keynote speech

Sir Keir Starmer dropped a banger clanger during his party conference speech after demanding the return of sausages from Gaza.

The PM sent social media into meltdown after making the meaty mess-up during an address to hundreds in Liverpool.

He was meant to say hostages.

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He said: “I call again for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the return of the sausages – the hostages – and a recommitment to the two-state solution.”

One tickled internet wag wrote on X: “He butchered that.”

Another said it was the “wurst gaffe ever” while one simply branded him a “silly sausage”.

Others commended him for raising awareness of a little known cause.

But one more queried: “What about the hotdogs?”

Sir Keir was rubbished last night for insisting “every pensioner will be better off with Labour” in his speech while imposing winter fuel payment cuts.

In his first Labour Party conference speech as Prime Minister, Sir Keir addressed criticism of the decision to means-test winter fuel payments.

“The risk of showing to the world, as the Tories did, that this country does not fund its policies properly, that is a risk we can never take again,” he said.

“Stabilising our economy is the first step of this long-term plan.

“The only way we can keep prices low, cut NHS waiting lists and secure the triple lock so that every pensioner… will be better off with Labour.”

He vowed there would be “no return to Tory austerity” and blamed winter fuel payment cuts on the state the Tories left the country in.

But campaigners warn the move will hit 10m pensioners, including 1.2m in absolute poverty and 1.6m who are disabled.

“They are the people we are most worried about,” said Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition.

“The Prime Minister simply can’t make the guarantee that every pensioner will be better off.

“With the winter fuel payment being removed from so many people, the Government is gambling with pensioners’ ability to keep warm this winter.”

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper urged the Government to “change course” on the cut.

She said: “Sadly there will be millions of pensioners left disappointed today at the lack of a u-turn on the upcoming winter fuel allowance cuts.”

Daniel Kebede, general secretary of teaching union NEU, also demanded the Government abolish the two-child limit and expand free school meals to all primary schools.

He said: “The Government should forget the pursuit of free holidays, concert tickets and shiny new suits and focus on the needs of families and children.

“Austerity will be ended in deeds not words.”

Sir Keir dismissed criticism as “water off a duck’s back” as he vowed to “take back control” of borders and benefits.

He promised to act on the concerns of Brexit voters and blamed the Conservatives for failing them on immigration and crime.

In a pledge to create a “Britain built to last”, he said government was urgently working to tackle the spiralling welfare bill to get more jobless Brits in work.

He said: “We will get the welfare bill down because we will tackle long-term sickness and support people back to work.

“We will make every penny work for you because we will root out waste and go after tax avoiders.”

He also promised a “homes for heroes” scheme to stop brave veterans living in squalor.

Sir Keir said he wants to reassure those who are “nervous” about the “difficult road ahead”.

He promised to rebuild public services and protect working people.

“If this path were popular or easy we would have walked it already,” he said.

Sir Keir said he understands many decisions his government will take will be unpopular, but says the cost will be shared fairly.

“I will always treat you with the respect of candour, not the distraction of bluster,” he added.

An 18-year-old student protested at the speech, saying he was moved to act by Sir Keir’s “sickening” lack of action in the Middle East.

Daniel Riley was a delegate and Labour Party member who was not acting on behalf of an organisation or protest group, but said the Labour leader was expressing “empty platitudes” when he called for a ceasefire in Gaza.