Keir Starmer blames 'failure of government' for return of coronavirus as he addresses nation in response to new measures

Rebecca Speare-Cole23 September 2020

Sir Keir Starmer has blamed a "failure of Government" for the return of coronavirus.

The Labour leader used a televised address to the nation on Wednesday evening to stress his support of the new restrictions being brought in by the Government.

However, he fiercely criticised the Government for apparent mistakes made during the pandemic, saying the new restrictions were "not inevitable".

It comes after Boris Johnson announced fresh lockdown measures to tackle the rising numbers of coronavirus cases across the UK.

Opening his speech, Mr Starmer praised the "sacrifices and heroism of the British people" before adding that the country is "not through this yet".

“The picture presented by the Government’s medical advisers this week was stark and clear," he said.

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"Infections are rising, hospital admissions are increasing and we know, from bitter experience, where that can lead."

But after urging the public to follow the new restrictions and the rule of law, the Labour leader said the "now necessary" restrictions were "not inevitable".

"The return of the virus and the return of restrictions were are not an act of god," he said. "They are a failure of government."

"The British people have done everything that was asked of them. But I'm afraid the Government have not."

Mr Starmer also said that the UK should not have one of the highest death rates in the world, or one of the worst recessions.

He said it remains “a national scandal" that the UK does not have a testing scandal that works.

“People shouldn’t have to travel hundreds of miles to get a test for their child, for themselves or for their relatives," he said.

Mr Starmer also called for a “Plan B” to help the country recover economically.

He said: “It makes no sense to bring in new restrictions at the same time as phasing out support for jobs and businesses.”

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