The Tories have been accused of spreading desperate “lies” after they warned Keir Starmer would be a “part-time PM” for wanting to spend time with his family.
Rishi Sunak’s party ramped up its attacks on the Labour leader after he suggested he’d make time in his diary for his son, 16, and daughter, 13.
The Conservative Party tweeted: “You deserve better than a part-time Prime Minister.”
The criticism comes less than a fortnight after Mr Sunak lavished praise on Mr Starmer for trying to spend time with his family. Asked on LBC what he admired about his rival, the PM said: “These jobs all take a toll on everyone’s family. He does a very good job of balancing work life and family life. That’s a nice thing.”
A Labour source hit back at the Tory attacks, saying: “The only person who’s clocked off early in this campaign is Rishi Sunak at the D-Day commemorations.”
Carol Vorderman tweeted at the Conservative Party: “Another lie. Jeez, you’ll keep on doing it to the bitter end won’t you?”
The row came after Mr Starmer told Virgin Radio that he and his wife “have had a strategy in place and we will try to keep to it… and that is to care out really protected time for the kids”.
He added: “So on a Friday – I’ve been doing this for years – I will not do a work-related thing after 6 o’clock, pretty well come what may. There are a few exceptions, but that’s what we do. My son goes kickboxing and so I often take him there. My daughter goes swimming and cheerleading now, so I have been to see her in cheerleading competitions.”
Mr Starmer continued: “One, I am a dad and I love them. They’re my pride and joy and I don’t want to lose that time. Two, I don’t believe in the theory that you’re a better decision-maker if you don’t allow yourself the space to be a dad and have fun with your kids. Actually, it helps me. It takes me away from the pressure, it relaxes me and I think actually, not only is that what I want to do as a dad, it is better.
“In politics, some people think if you fill your diary 24/7 and don’t do anything else, that makes you a much better decision-maker. I don’t agree with that.”