Keir Starmer says more needs to be done to 'defend our democracy' after Ann Widdecombe murder
Prime minister Keir Starmer has said more must be done to 'defend our democracy'. Picture: House of Commons/PA
Outgoing prime minister Keir Starmer said “we must do more to defend our democracy” following the murder of Ann Widdecombe.
He said it was “chilling” that three sitting or former MPs had been murdered during his 11 years in parliament.
Starmer's comments at his final prime minister’s questions came as Reform UK demanded extra cash for MPs’ security following the death of Widdecombe.
The former Tory minister was a senior figure in Reform at the time of her death.
Read More
Starmer said: “I believe we must do more to defend our democracy.
“I have tasked officials across government to identify the best mechanisms for taking this work forward, so it can move as quickly as possible.
“And I hope the whole House can unite behind that in the months ahead.”
Starmer suggested Widdecombe, who served as an MP for 23 years until 2010, could be honoured with a plaque in the Commons Chamber in a similar way to murdered sitting MPs including Jo Cox and David Amess.
He said: “It is chilling that during my time in this Parliament, 11 years, three serving or former MPs have been murdered.
“I look across at the shield for our dear friend Jo Cox and the shield for Sir David Amess that sits behind me.
“I know this is a House matter, so this is my personal view, but I do believe it’d be fitting for the House to consider a similar tribute to Ann.”
Starmer's comments came after Reform stepped up demands for greater security for MPs following a row over party leader Nigel Farage’s protection.
Incoming prime minister Andy Burnham has also said a “serious review” is needed into MPs’ security.
Reform on Wednesday called for the budget for additional security for MPs to be raised from around £4m to up to £100m to provide full security for all who want it.
In a press conference on Tuesday, the party’s home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf appeared to accuse politicians and the media of creating a narrative tantamount to “incitement” against Reform.
He said the “climate in which [Widdecombe] was killed” had been one of “a relentless narrative from politicians and the media that Reform UK is a threat, a threat to be urgently stopped”.
He added: “A narrative so relentless it constitutes incitement. And why are we targeted like this? Because we say things that are unfashionable among many in Westminster, but are popular in the country at large.”
Mr Yusuf cited Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy calling Miss Widdecombe a “bigot”, which he did on social media in 2019, and saying “we must stand up to them (bigots) before it’s too late”.
But he was quizzed on his own use of language about political rivals in a media Q&A afterwards, including his claim last week that the Tories were “open borders lunatics that deserve their extinction”.
Asked whether he would look at his own rhetoric if he was asking other parties to do the same, he suggested there was a “clear difference” between what he had said and what other parties had said.
“Likening Reform to the Nazis, likening Reform to the fascists, regimes that are clearly the most brutal and horrific in history and saying they pose an urgent threat; that needs to be stopped, I think those are in different categories,” he said.
Mr Yusuf also appeared to suggest that a £5m gift which Farage says he received from crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne to help pay for security to keep him safe for the rest of his life was primarily intended for after the leader leaves frontline politics.
Asked whether the sum was not enough to protect Mr Farage after senior Reform figures complained about the level of state-backed security their party and him have been offered, Mr Yusuf said: “I know I, and I hope millions of other people in this country hope Nigel lives a long and healthy life long after he is not leader of Reform UK, and that’s when, of course, that money will become really important.”
Starmer has pledged to give his “wholehearted support” to prime minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham, as he made his final appearance at the despatch box.
The outgoing prime minister said he will “give my support privately if asked for, not publicly when not asked for”, as he faced his last PMQs.
Starmer received a standing ovation from the majority of the House of Commons at the end of the session, as he said it was the “end of (his) political journey”.
He also thanked Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch for her “kindness” after the death of his brother and the arson attack on his family home.
Starmer told the Commons he was “proud to leave this country in a better shape than I found it”.
Asked whether he had any advice for Burnham, Starmer said: “I will give my wholehearted support to my successor.
“I want this Labour government to be a success. I want our country to be a success. I shall give my support privately if asked for, not publicly when not asked for.”
The former Greater Manchester mayor’s premiership has already been confirmed after he received the backing of 369 of the party’s 403 MPs, making it mathematically impossible for a rival to enter the contest.
Under Labour rules, candidates need the backing of 81 MPs to stand in a contest, meaning he is set for a coronation.
Starmer will leave No 10 on Monday to make way for the Labour MP for Makerfield.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
