Labour leader Keir Starmer has been accused of religious bigotry and pandering to Tory voters, after tweeting about “Christian values,” and how they helped Brits overcome the struggles of 2020.
Starmer tweeted a short excerpt from his Friday article for the Church Times, writing, “The best of British values that we’ve seen over the past year are the best of Christian values.”
The MP also attached the link to the piece, in which he argued that Christmas was the time to reflect on the passing year, which was full of “loss and difficulties”, but also highlighted “the best of humanity”. Starmer thanked the Christian community for “being at the forefront of social activism”, and urged Brits to use the “fundamental lessons of Christianity” as a “blueprint” for a better society.
The best of British values that we’ve seen over the past year are the best of Christian values. My article in the @ChurchTimes:https://t.co/Cb7OxTJAAj
While the tweet’s and article’s religious themes were quite clearly linked to the upcoming festive holiday, Starmer’s comments caused quite a stir, with many being quick to accuse the MP of racism and islamophobia.
“So Non-Christians don’t share British values? Is that it?” one commenter replied.
“Just say white values,” wrote another angry critic.
British values = Christian values.So Non-Christians don’t share British values?Is that it?
The best of “British” values are the best of Christian values? Really?
Just say white values.
Some saw the tweet as an “Islamophobic dogwhistle”.
What is inherently “Christian” or “British” about those values? “British values” was Michael Gove’s Islamophobic dogwhistle that threw Ofsted and DfE into chaos for weeks trying to interpret & implement. Ashamed to hear you parroting it.
Other commenters saw anti-Semitic undertones in Starmer’s message and brought up the fact that several members of his party have been accused of harbouring anti-Jewish sentiment – a claim they say is politicially motivated, due to their support for Palestinians. “Are you carrying on with that centuries-long tradition of Christians persecuting Jews?” one person wrote.
Are you carrying on with that centuries long tradition of Christians persecuting Jews?https://t.co/eDJGPskhQppic.twitter.com/Jph7NIqj5m
Labour had one leader outed for antisemitism and now it has a leader pushing a religion in Christianity!!! It is not Christian values that are the best of British values it is that of the British people. The worst values we have seen are those of a politician!!!!
Some commenters even attacked Starmer for pandering to Conservative voters, saying his tweet was “straight out of the Tory playbook”.
Jeez, “Christian Values” straight out of the Tory playbook. ?♀️
Trying to out fash the Tories again is it?
A few tweeters, however, did not see any harm in the Labour leader praising Christianity at Christmastime, and defended Starmer.
“Come on people, there’s nothing wrong with him talking about Christian values in a Christian publication on the eve of one of the two main Christian festivals,” wrote left-wing activist Owen Jones.
I’ve had my passionate criticisms of the Labour leadership, but come on people, there’s nothing wrong with him talking about Christian values in a Christian publication on the eve of one of the two main Christian festivals… https://t.co/ScrJwdrOVu
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