Sir Keir Starmer has caused a stir by introducing a special wooden stand for his reading notes in the House of Commons. Before the Prime Minister’s address to MPs, a doorkeeper unfolded a blue cloth on the despatch box and placed a slanted wooden stand on it, sparking curiosity about its purpose.
There was speculation that the stand might assist the PM in reading his speech, especially since he recently accepted £2,485 for multiple pairs of glasses from Labour peer Lord Alli.
After the PM’s statement on the first anniversary of the October 7 attack, Foreign Secretary David Lammy removed the stand and cloth before making his own statement from the traditional despatch box.
Alert – Keir Starmer’s new support! PM raises eyebrows with new special wooden stand in the House of Commons – but WHAT is it used for? https://t.co/o79uj1FLyM pic.twitter.com/9vN3NC8YK5
— Alert Content (@thealertcontent) October 9, 2024
Sky News’s chief political correspondent Jon Craig noted online that the stand’s purpose seemed to be to help Sir Keir read his notes more easily during his statement. This incident brought back memories of former Labour PM Gordon Brown, who balanced his notes on stacks of books due to being blind in one eye.
However, Downing Street denied that Sir Keir’s eyesight was the reason for the wooden stand. A source claimed that the stand is used simply to hold his papers in place, as it has a ledge at the bottom. “He’s been using it since the King’s Speech,” the source added.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why did Sir Keir Starmer use a wooden stand in the House of Commons?
Sir Keir uses the stand to hold his papers in place; it has a ledge along the bottom.
Was the wooden stand for Sir Keir Starmer’s eyesight issues?
No, Downing Street insisted it was not related to his eyesight.
Who helped remove the stand and cloth after the PM’s address?
Foreign Secretary David Lammy helped remove the stand and cloth.
When did Sir Keir Starmer start using the wooden stand?
He has been using it since the King’s Speech.
What did Jon Craig speculate about the wooden stand?
Jon Craig speculated that its purpose was to make it easier for Sir Keir to read his notes.