Watch Keir Starmer’s awkward slip of the tongue talking about Gaza hostages in first party conference speech as PM
SIR Keir Starmer accidentally called for the return of the “sausages” instead of the Israeli hostages in his keynote speech at Labour conference.
The PM was addressing the conflict in the Middle East when he fumbled over his lines.
In a sizzling gaffe, Sir Keir said: “I call again for restraint and de-escalation between Lebanon and Israel.
“I call again for all parties to pull back from the brink.
“I call again for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the return of the sausages… the hostages, and a recommitment to the two-state solution, a recognised Palestine and a safe and secure Israel.”
The PM is not the first one to have given his colleagues food for thought at a party conference.
Former Welsh Tory leader Andrew Davies attempted to emulate Theresa May’s famous platitude of “Brexit means Brexit and we’re going to make a success of it” back in 2016.
But he winded up confusing Britain’s withdrawal from the EU with the most important meal of the day.
He told his party conference: “Mark my words. We will make breakfast, Brexit, a success.”
Footage of the gaffe quickly went viral on social media.
Speech that sets the tone for Labour's first chapter
By Ryan Sabey, Deputy Political Editor
Sir Keir Starmer has endured a torrid few weeks in the job he has craved.
This was a reset moment that – for an hour or so at least – he could put the troubles of freebiegate and Sue Gray’s salary behind him.
It was a greatest hits run out that will please many of those who voted for him for the first time.
Stronger borders as a priority and fixing the foundations of the economy are essential for the long-term benefit of the country.
But there may be some anger among Labour ranks when he spoke of plugging the £22 billion black hole.
It won’t just fall on the shoulders of the better off in society as this is a “shared struggle”, he said.
He even said – to coin a phrase – that “we are all in it together”.
The decision to axe winter fuel allowance for millions of pensioners is just one decision he didn;t shy away from.
That brought about a few groans in the hall as ex-Tory Chancellor George Osborne echoed this phrase during the austerity years.
A crackdown on benefits and the welfare bill will be unveiled at the Budget and it won’t be pretty.
This speech was setting the tone for the first phase of this Labour government.
Short-term pain for long-term gain.
Folks, it’s time to buckle up