Labour candidate admits Starmer is 'unpopular' and 'uncharismatic'
More Videos
0 seconds of 1 minute, 30 seconds Volume 90%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts Keyboard Shortcuts EnabledDisabled
Shortcuts Open/Close / or ?
Play/Pause SPACE
Increase Volume ↑
Decrease Volume ↓
Seek Forward →
Seek Backward ←
Captions On/Off c
Fullscreen/Exit Fullscreen f
Mute/Unmute m
Decrease Caption Size -
Increase Caption Size + or =
Seek % 0-9
Next Up
Search for Jay Slater in Tenerife called off by Spanish police
01:07
twitter facebook Email Link https://cdn.jwplayer.com/previews/dPMcND2q Copied
Live
00:00
01:30
01:30
More Videos
Close
A Labour candidate has been blasted by their Tory opponent after he criticised Sir Keir Starmer and tore apart his party’s manifesto policies during a husting this week.
Simon Opher, who is standing as the Labour candidate in the key marginal of Stroud, told voters earlier this week that Keir Starmer is ‘unpopular’ and dull.
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Link Sponsored Link
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Diabetes Tips [blog]
Blood sugar above 100? Try this cinnamon ritual tonightDiabetes Tips [blog]
Undo
Alongside the verbal assault on his party leader, Mr Opher also laid waste to his party’s policy offering, confessing he would use his time in Parliament should he be elected to force radical changes to environmental policies and the voting system.
Speaking from a pub in Stroud, Mr Opher confessed: “I know Keir isn’t that popular in Stroud, alright.
“What I would say about him is he has changed the Labour Party into a position where we are likely to win a large majority.
Sponsored
SaneSolution
SaneSolutionMD: Throat Phlegm? Your Body is Trying To Tell You Something
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
READ MORE: Labour candidates blasted over social media posts which slam 'racist' UK
Simon Opher criticised his party's leader and manifesto (Image: Prince Albert Pub Facebook)
“Now I know you don’t like him, but I would say he is competent and slightly on the dull spectrum.”
Turning to other policies debated during the local husting, Labour’s candidate derided the party’s offering on the environment, telling voters that he is “unfortunate” Labour isn’t committed to bringing in a “right to roam” across the countryside.
On this point, he even said “there are some parts of the Green manifesto I do agree with”.
He also spelt out his desire to force people to go on holiday via trains and public transport instead of flying.
Mr Opher told locals: “Last year my holiday was to Greece overland, one of the best things I’ve ever done.
“The trains are fantastic, I really recommend that we stop flying and start using local transport.”
Don't miss...
Angela Rayner forced to cancel Glastonbury appearance due to election [INSIGHT]
General Election latest: Pollster records new high for Nigel Farage's Reform UK [LIVE]
James Cleverly in LBC clash with Yvette Cooper over illegal immigration [VIDEO]
Mr Opher described Sir Keir as unpopular and dull (Image: Getty)
SUBSCRIBE Invalid email
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
He also turned his ire towards drivers, despite voters’ concerns about Labour’s war on motorists and the threat of 20mph zones.
Mr Opher said Britain should have bike-priority roads where cars are not given priority.
He proffered: “I had an idea during Covid, when I used to cycle into work and the roads were empty - it was lovely”.
“I suddenly thought, ‘why don’t we change it so it’s like cycle roads that cars are allowed to use rather than the other way around’.”
The lefty Labour candidate also blasted his party’s failure to offer a change to the voting system, which he bemoaned as being unfair on the Greens and other smaller parties.
He promised to fight from within a Labour Government to force a change to proportional representation, saying: “It’s not in our manifesto but I am a very strong supporter of a change to PR”.
Trending
“It hasn’t been taken up yet [by Labour] but we will fight for it. Any topic that gets support from Andy Burnham and John McDonnell has to be a winner in my case.
“I am a very strong supporter and I will fight for this in parliament because actually it’s unfair on the greens and all the other parties.”
Mr Opher’s Tory opponent, incumbent MP Siobhan Bailie told the Express: “I did raise an eyebrow when I heard what Simon said, as while most voters feel the same, it’s bad coming from somebody actively trying to make the guy the Prime minister of this great country!"
"However, as well the admission that people don’t like the Labour leader much and he is indeed boring, I would add even more concerning obvious points: that he cannot be trusted to lead this country or make his mind up, that he is a socialist who will crush aspiration and he is someone who wants to tax us all heavily to pay for his pet projects and his politics of envy.”
DON'T MISS
Powered by
POLL: Can Labour be trusted with Brexit? Vote here
Comments
Emily Thornberry breaks silence with three-word dig at Keir Starmer after Cabinet snub
Comments
Owen Jones tears into Emily Thornberry after Keir Starmer Cabinet snub
Comments
Andrew Neil pinpoints reason why Macron's troubles have only just begun
Comments
Nigel Farage hails huge surge in Reform's membership as party hits new milestone
Comments
'Nonsensical!' JK Rowling takes aim at Labour women's minister in trans row
Comments
I was in the room when Rachel Reeves made history....but all I felt was Deja Vu
Comments
Nigel Farage says Tories are already in civil war after election defeat
Comments
'More blah, blah, blah!' Suella Braverman savages Yvette Cooper over small boats plan
Comments
Who is Jean-Luc Melenchon? France's 'Jeremy Corbyn' promising huge ￡125bn spending spree
Comments
The full list of Conservative MPs who survived Labour election landslide
Comments
Border Force rescue as first migrants pictured arriving to UK after Labour axes Rwanda
Comments
Inside Labour's horror EU 'reset' plans sparking major Brexit fears
Comments
JK Rowling criticises appointment of women's minister who cannot explain what a woman is
Comments
Keir Starmer reveals work has already begun in ripping up Boris Johnson's Brexit deal
Comments
Labour's youngest UK MP sparks fury over claim being older doesn't make you better at job
Comments
Keir Starmer considering shocking prison plans that could see 40,000 criminals released
Comments
BBC sparks fury over 'disgusting' decision to brand Labour's election win as a 'coup'
Comments
Health Insight Journal
Drain Edema Fluid: Do This if You Have Swollen Feet or AnklesHealth Insight Journal
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Rachel Reeves vows 'no time to waste' in boosting growth as she reveals 'immediate' change
Comments
Keir Starmer dons Downing Street in St George's flags hours after England flag 'blunder'
Comments
POLL: Can Labour be trusted with Brexit? Vote here
Comments
Emily Thornberry breaks silence with three-word dig at Keir Starmer after Cabinet snub
Comments
Owen Jones tears into Emily Thornberry after Keir Starmer Cabinet snub
Comments
Andrew Neil pinpoints reason why Macron's troubles have only just begun
Comments
Nigel Farage hails huge surge in Reform's membership as party hits new milestone
Comments
'Nonsensical!' JK Rowling takes aim at Labour women's minister in trans row
Comments
I was in the room when Rachel Reeves made history....but all I felt was Deja Vu
Comments
Nigel Farage says Tories are already in civil war after election defeat
Comments
'More blah, blah, blah!' Suella Braverman savages Yvette Cooper over small boats plan
Comments
Who is Jean-Luc Melenchon? France's 'Jeremy Corbyn' promising huge ￡125bn spending spree
Comments
The full list of Conservative MPs who survived Labour election landslide
Comments
Border Force rescue as first migrants pictured arriving to UK after Labour axes Rwanda
Comments
Inside Labour's horror EU 'reset' plans sparking major Brexit fears
Comments
JK Rowling criticises appointment of women's minister who cannot explain what a woman is
Comments
Keir Starmer reveals work has already begun in ripping up Boris Johnson's Brexit deal
Comments
Labour's youngest UK MP sparks fury over claim being older doesn't make you better at job
Comments
Keir Starmer considering shocking prison plans that could see 40,000 criminals released
Comments
BBC sparks fury over 'disgusting' decision to brand Labour's election win as a 'coup'
Comments
Rachel Reeves vows 'no time to waste' in boosting growth as she reveals 'immediate' change
Comments
Keir Starmer dons Downing Street in St George's flags hours after England flag 'blunder'
Comments
POLL: Can Labour be trusted with Brexit? Vote here
Comments
Emily Thornberry breaks silence with three-word dig at Keir Starmer after Cabinet snub
Comments
Owen Jones tears into Emily Thornberry after Keir Starmer Cabinet snub
Comments
Andrew Neil pinpoints reason why Macron's troubles have only just begun
Comments
Nigel Farage hails huge surge in Reform's membership as party hits new milestone
Comments
'Nonsensical!' JK Rowling takes aim at Labour women's minister in trans row
Comments
I was in the room when Rachel Reeves made history....but all I felt was Deja Vu
Comments
Health Insight Journal
Swollen Legs & Feet: Use This to Help Drain Edema FluidHealth Insight Journal
Undo
by Taboola by Taboola
Sponsored Links Sponsored Links
Promoted Links Promoted Links
Responding to comment, Mr Opher told the Express: "I am incredibly proud to be standing as a candidate for Keir Starmer’s changed Labour Party in this general election".
“Labour’s manifesto is a fully costed and fully funded plan that I back completely, with vital measures to tackle the climate and nature crisis such as making Britain a clean energy superpower through setting up Great British Energy, forcing water companies to clean up our rivers, and creating nine new National River Walks and three new National Forests.
“Change with a Labour government is only possible if people vote for it.”
Related articles Kemi Badenoch hits back after David Tennant calls for her 'existence to end' Cabinet minister reveals exactly how much he won on election bids as saga erupts Election betting investigation - full list of names at centre of scandal probe Jeremy Corbyn humiliated as fans blow ￡6k on a poll saying he'll lose