Tory MP Esther McVey criticised for 'repugnant' smoking ban post
"Tory MP's Tweet On Smoking Ban Called 'disgusting'"
Conservative politician Esther McVey has been criticized as "disgusting" for using a poem about the Holocaust to condemn the government's plans to enforce stricter regulations on smoking in outdoor areas.
The representative of Tatton posted a portion of Martin Niemoller's 1946 poem, "First They Came", on their social media account, with the comment: "Relevant words regarding Starmer's smoking prohibition."
The organization representing British Jews asked the ex-cabinet minister to say sorry for making a very insensitive comparison.
Ms. McVey clarified that she did not mean to compare banning smoking outside pubs to the persecution of the Jews by the Nazis and she never intended to cause any offence.
She also stated that she will not be pressured or forced to take down the post about X.
The poem talks about how some Germans stayed quiet during Nazi crimes. It says, "When they came for the Jews, I remained silent. I was not a Jew, so I did not speak up."
The Board of Deputies of British Jews responded to Ms McVey's post by stating that using Martin Niemoller's poem to compare a potential smoking ban to the horrors of the Nazis is thoughtless and offensive.
We urge the MP for Tatton to remove her tweet and say sorry for this incredibly insensitive comparison.
Rabbi David Mason, who leads the Jewish Council for Racial Equality, stated that the blog post was offensive and inappropriate.
The Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, replied to her message by saying that he does not believe that Martin Niemöller's post-war confession about the quiet involvement of the German intelligentsia and clergy in the Nazi's rise to power is relevant to the Smoking Bill that was part of both their manifesto. The goal of the bill is to address one of the major causes of death.
Ms McVey then responded on X by sharing a statement in defense of her initial post.
No one is saying that prohibiting smoking outside of pubs is similar to the atrocities committed against Jews by the Nazis. It is absurd for anyone to even imply that was my intention," she stated.
It's like a pattern that happens- people who limit freedoms begin by targeting the most vulnerable and then extend their power.
I believe that everyone comprehends the argument I was trying to convey and recognizes that I did not mean to offend anyone or imply any similarities.
She stated, "I refuse to be pressured into deleting a tweet by individuals who are distorting the message of my words and taking offense when they know it was not meant."
Starmer confirms that they are thinking about extending the ban on smoking.
Today, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that the government is looking into the possibility of prohibiting smoking in certain open areas in England.
After the Sun newspaper published a report, there was speculation that government officials might expand the ban on indoor smoking to include outdoor areas such as pub gardens, university and hospital campuses, sports grounds, and children's play areas.
Health professionals were supportive of the suggestions, but there are reports that some government officials are worried about how it will affect businesses in the hospitality industry.
Victoria Atkins, who is the shadow health secretary for the Conservative party, and Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, were both vocal critics of the proposal.
When Sir Keir was questioned about the article in The Sun, he mentioned that deaths linked to smoking are avoidable. He emphasized the need for measures to lower the strain on the NHS and taxpayer funds.
This year, the past Conservative government suggested a law to stop selling cigarettes to individuals born in or after 2009.
The new Labour government is moving forward with plans to gradually ban smoking. They have also pledged to implement the necessary laws.
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