Starmer laughs off Tory questions on family planning choices

During a flight to Washington, Sir Keir Starmer was questioned about the declining birth rate in the UK and whether he intended to encourage people to have more children. His response included a laugh, which sparked outrage among Conservative Party members who argue that the low birth rate poses a significant long-term issue for the economy. Starmer emphasized that he does not wish to dictate personal life choices, including family planning, and instead focused on local growth plans led by mayors and businesses. Critics, including former Tory MPs, accused him of hypocrisy, pointing out his support for various lifestyle regulations while avoiding a clear stance on family growth. They argue that the declining birth rate, currently at 1.56 children per woman, is a fundamental problem that could lead to economic challenges as fewer workers support an increasing number of pensioners. The situation has drawn comparisons to policies in other Western countries aimed at boosting birth rates, highlighting a growing concern among political leaders about the implications of demographic changes on future economic stability.