Lee Anderson mocks Starmer over child benefit row
Lee Anderson hit back at Anna Soubry as a row erupted over Labour's childcare proposals.
The Tory deputy chairman branded plans being drawn up by Sir Keir Starmer for thousands of new nursery places in primary schools as "truly shocking" in a post on social media platform X.
But Ms Soubry suggested Mr Anderson did not have a "true understanding of the lives of ordinary voters".
In response, Mr Anderson brutally shot back that the former Conservative minister was "relevant a few years ago".
The debate was sparked by Tory MP Miriam Cates criticising Labour proposals, expected to be included in its manifesto, to create thousands of new nursery places.
Stay up-to-date with the latest Politics news Join us on WhatsApp Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
Trending
Outspoken Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson (Image: SHUTTERSTOCK)
Ms Cates, a rising star on the right of the party, said: "Labour’s plan for babies… Six months with mummy or daddy (if you’re lucky) then handed over to the state so mummy and daddy can get back to the critical national endeavour of generating GDP. Has anyone asked if this is best for children?"
Theresa May's former chief of staff Lord Barwell replied: "There is a section of my party that appears not to understand that in many parts of the country unless one parent is earning a very good wage both parents have to work to make ends meet - and that reliable, affordable, high-quality childcare is therefore essential."
Ms Soubry, who quit the party over Brexit, responded to Lord Barwell saying it was no longer a "section" but "mainstream".
She shared a screenshot of a post by Mr Anderson which said: "State-controlled children. This is a chilling idea, truly shocking. Parents should be parents. That's the whole point surely?"
Yes I'm the Deputy Chair and yes I'm booked up for the next 6 months to speak at Conservative events all over the UK as I have been for the past 18 months speaking to real Conservatives. You need to start reading the room not your own Tweets. Fairly sure you were relevant a few… https://t.co/OM5mdkzu0T
— Lee Anderson MP (@LeeAndersonMP_) December 30, 2023
Become an Express Premium member Support fearless journalism Read The Daily Express online, advert free Get super-fast page loading
Start 30-day
FREE trial
Ms Soubry went on: "There’s barely anyone left in today’s Conservatives with a true understanding of the lives of ordinary voters.
DON'T MISS
Powered by
Labour ridiculed for ‘taking babies off their mothers' as childcare idea mocked
333 Comments
Reform UK to switch attack from Tories to target Labour on migrants and economy
2134 Comments
Penny Mordaunt and Suella Braverman beaten in next Tory leader poll by clear winner
847 Comments
Sunak vows tax cuts are on way as he heralds 'brighter future for everyone'
50 Comments
Labour humiliated over ‘nanny state' promises
324 Comments
Rishi Sunak dealt crushing election blow as pollster warns major issue threatens his job
1573 Comments
Top Brexiteer sets out 10 'New Year Brexit Resolutions' to capitalise on freedom from EU
992 Comments
Reform UK could be a bigger danger than the Tories realise, suggests polling expert
1185 Comments
Nigel Farage rips apart every one of Rishi Sunak's achievements: ‘It didn't impress me!'
71 Comments
Emily Thornberry says election date is ‘open secret' - and timing of the Budget proves it
145 Comments
Keir Starmer dealt huge poll blow as just 15 percent of voters 'certain' to back Labour
1047 Comments
Top Tories warn Rishi Sunak that Inheritance Tax cuts are the wrong Budget priority
109 Comments
Trouble for Keir Starmer as Tories trounce Labour in important battle
94 Comments
Penny Mordaunt empowers girls in historic King's Coronation role
46 Comments
Top Brexiteer Lee Anderson accuses Labour of secret plot to 'drag UK back into the EU'
1131 Comments
Awards of the year: Recap of notable political moments
3 Comments
Rishi Sunak hit by New Year nightmare as popularity reaches record low in bombshell poll
92 Comments
Rishi Sunak mocked as 'not a real conservative' after disastrous rating by Tory members
99 Comments
Boris Johnson is beaten by two huge names in poll on your favourite Tory Prime Minister
555 Comments
Jacob Rees-Mogg and Kemi Badenoch crowned Tory members' favourites in end of year poll
111 Comments
Labour ridiculed for ‘taking babies off their mothers' as childcare idea mocked
333 Comments
Reform UK to switch attack from Tories to target Labour on migrants and economy
2134 Comments
Penny Mordaunt and Suella Braverman beaten in next Tory leader poll by clear winner
847 Comments
Sunak vows tax cuts are on way as he heralds 'brighter future for everyone'
50 Comments
Labour humiliated over ‘nanny state' promises
324 Comments
Rishi Sunak dealt crushing election blow as pollster warns major issue threatens his job
1573 Comments
Top Brexiteer sets out 10 'New Year Brexit Resolutions' to capitalise on freedom from EU
992 Comments
Reform UK could be a bigger danger than the Tories realise, suggests polling expert
1185 Comments
Nigel Farage rips apart every one of Rishi Sunak's achievements: ‘It didn't impress me!'
71 Comments
Emily Thornberry says election date is ‘open secret' - and timing of the Budget proves it
145 Comments
Keir Starmer dealt huge poll blow as just 15 percent of voters 'certain' to back Labour
1047 Comments
Top Tories warn Rishi Sunak that Inheritance Tax cuts are the wrong Budget priority
109 Comments
Trouble for Keir Starmer as Tories trounce Labour in important battle
94 Comments
Penny Mordaunt empowers girls in historic King's Coronation role
46 Comments
Top Brexiteer Lee Anderson accuses Labour of secret plot to 'drag UK back into the EU'
1131 Comments
Awards of the year: Recap of notable political moments
3 Comments
Rishi Sunak hit by New Year nightmare as popularity reaches record low in bombshell poll
92 Comments
Rishi Sunak mocked as 'not a real conservative' after disastrous rating by Tory members
99 Comments
Boris Johnson is beaten by two huge names in poll on your favourite Tory Prime Minister
555 Comments
Jacob Rees-Mogg and Kemi Badenoch crowned Tory members' favourites in end of year poll
111 Comments
Labour ridiculed for ‘taking babies off their mothers' as childcare idea mocked
333 Comments
Reform UK to switch attack from Tories to target Labour on migrants and economy
2134 Comments
Penny Mordaunt and Suella Braverman beaten in next Tory leader poll by clear winner
847 Comments
Sunak vows tax cuts are on way as he heralds 'brighter future for everyone'
50 Comments
Labour humiliated over ‘nanny state' promises
324 Comments
Rishi Sunak dealt crushing election blow as pollster warns major issue threatens his job
1573 Comments
Top Brexiteer sets out 10 'New Year Brexit Resolutions' to capitalise on freedom from EU
992 Comments
"Anderson is Deputy Chair of the Conservative Party."
But Mr Anderson hit back: "Yes I'm the Deputy Chair and yes I'm booked up for the next six months to speak at Conservative events all over the UK as I have been for the past 18 months speaking to real Conservatives.
"You need to start reading the room not your own tweets. Fairly sure you were relevant a few years ago. Let it go duck and try and be nice. Divisive dog whistle politics is not attractive."
Related articles Lee Anderson slams LBC as it fails to apologise for ‘outrageous’ hoax Jacob Rees-Mogg and Kemi Badenoch crowned Tory members’ favourites in 2023 Lee Anderson accuses Labour of secret plot to rejoin EU