Starmer questions Farage’s pandemic leadership risk as Reform UK vaccine claims draw fire

Sir Keir Starmer said Nigel Farage would not be trusted to lead Britain through a pandemic if he were prime minister, stepping up attacks on Reform UK amid controversy over Covid vaccine claims raised at the party’s conference. In remarks aimed at framing the election slate, Starmer pointed to Farage’s attendance at Reform’s Birmingham gathering where Dr Aseem Malhotra, a cardiologist and vaccine sceptic, suggested Covid vaccines could be linked to cancer in the royal family.

Starmer sought to draw a stark contrast between his plan for a patriotic national renewal and Reform’s political approach, telling ITV Calendar that the central choice in politics today is between “patriotic national renewal” under a Labour government and what he described as the “toxic divide” of Reform. He cited Labour’s policy aims—reducing waiting lists, building homes for the next generation, and giving children the best possible start in life—and framed them as evidence of a different direction from Reform’s approach. The remarks came as Reform continued to lead Labour in several polls, underscoring the ongoing challenge for the governing party.

In defending Reform, the party noted it did not endorse every assertion made by Dr Malhotra and emphasised a commitment to free speech. Reform argued that debate and the airing of controversial views are part of a broader discussion about policy directions, even as Farage faces pressure from critics who question whether vaccine-sceptic rhetoric could undermine public health efforts during a crisis. The party also sought to differentiate itself from the government by pointing to its stance on immigration and border controls, including a recent push to empower law enforcement to stop small boats, for which Starmer said Farage voted against fixes he argued would address the problem because it would undermine his political position.

Dr Malhotra’s remarks, delivered at Reform UK’s conference, touched on broader claims about the pharmaceutical industry, politicians, and the World Health Organization. He described himself as an ally of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a controversial figure who has alarmed health experts in the United States. Malhotra said he had spoken with Professor Angus Dalgleish, a leading oncologist, who he claimed believed vaccines were interfering with genes. He asserted that hundreds of studies showed harmful effects of mRNA vaccines and that vaccines could be a risk factor for cancer, suggesting that “many other doctors feel the same way.” He also asserted that it was “highly likely” Covid vaccines had been a factor in the cancers of members of the Royal Family, a claim that drew swift rebuttals from the scientific community.

However, Cancer Research UK and other health bodies have repeatedly said there is no evidence that Covid-19 vaccines cause cancer. The alliance between vaccine safety messaging and political narratives in the campaign highlights the broader debate over public trust in vaccination programs and how health issues are leveraged in political competition. The controversy comes as Reform UK seeks to capitalize on concerns about governance and national renewal while Labour emphasizes accountability, steady policy progress, and the practical steps required to reduce waiting times, deliver housing, and improve opportunities for children.

As the political calendar moves forward, Starmer’s latest remarks place health policy and vaccine discourse at the center of the battleground. The exchange illustrates how opposition leaders are testing the reliability of Reform UK’s leadership on crisis management, even as both parties navigate an environment where polling trends show competitive momentum and voters weigh the balance between bold reform and experienced governance.