Tory MP Esther McVey criticised for 'repugnant' smoking ban post
Disapproval For Tory MP's Ban On Smoking Tweet
Conservative politician Esther McVey has been criticized for using a poem about the Holocaust to condemn the government's plans for stricter regulations on smoking in outdoor areas.
The representative for Tatton posted a portion of Martin Niemoller's 1946 poem, "First They Came", on their social media, commenting: "Relevant words regarding Starmer's prohibition on smoking."
The Board of Deputies of British Jews asked the former cabinet minister to say sorry for the "incredibly insensitive comparison".
Ms. McVey clarified that she was not comparing the prohibition of smoking outside pubs to the persecution of the Jews by the Nazis and did not mean to cause offense.
She stated that she would not be pressured or intimidated into deleting the post about X.
The poetry talks about how some Germans stayed silent while the Nazis committed crimes. It includes the lines: "When they went after the Jews, I didn't say anything. Because I wasn't Jewish."
After reading what Ms McVey wrote, the Board of Deputies of British Jews stated that using Martin Niemoller's poem to talk about a possible smoking ban is thoughtless and disgusting.
We highly suggest the MP representing Tatton to remove her tweet and say sorry for this incredibly insensitive comparison.
Rabbi David Mason, leader of the Jewish Council for Racial Equality, expressed that the post was "completely lacking in taste".
Health Secretary Wes Streeting replied to her message, saying that he does not believe Martin Niemöller's statement about the German intellectuals and clergy staying silent during the Nazi regime applies to the Smoking Bill in their manifesto. The bill is aimed at addressing one of the leading causes of death.
Ms McVey subsequently uploaded a statement on X in support of her initial post.
"No one is saying that banning smoking outside of pubs is the same as the atrocities committed against the Jews by the Nazis. It is absurd for anyone to even imply that was my intention," she stated.
This is known as an analogy - when those in power limit freedoms, they begin by targeting easy victims and gradually widen their scope.
I'm confident that everyone grasps the message I was trying to convey and recognizes that no harm was meant and no comparison was being made.
She also stated: "I refuse to be intimidated into deleting a tweet by individuals who are intentionally distorting the message behind my words and taking offense when none was meant."
Starmer confirms that they are thinking about extending the ban on smoking.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated that the government is thinking about prohibiting smoking in certain outdoor areas in England.
After an article in the Sun newspaper suggested that government officials are considering expanding the ban on indoor smoking to include pub gardens, universities, hospitals, sports grounds, and areas where children play.
Medical professionals supported the suggestions, however, certain government officials have expressed worries about how it may affect businesses in the hospitality industry.
Opponents of the proposal also included Victoria Atkins, who serves as the Conservative shadow health secretary, and Nigel Farage, who leads the Reform UK party.
When questioned about the article in the Sun, Sir Keir stated that deaths from smoking can be avoided and that measures need to be taken to lessen the strain on the NHS and taxpayers.
At the beginning of this year, the former Conservative government suggested a law to prohibit the selling of cigarettes to individuals born in 2009 or later.
The new Labour government is moving ahead with plans to slowly forbid smoking and has also pledged to implement the new laws.
Join our Politics Essential newsletter to access top political insights, get perspectives from all over the UK, and stay updated on the major events. You'll receive it in your email inbox every weekday.
