SIR Keir Starmer last night repeated his assertion that he would prefer to leave relatives in long NHS queues than go private.
The Labour leader raised eyebrows at Tuesday’s TV debate by suggesting there were no circumstances in which he would pay for healthcare.
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At a campaign event in Portsmouth yesterday, Sir Keir said: “I grew up with my mum suffering.
“She was extremely ill and she nearly died several times.
“She was treated on every occasion by the NHS on an urgent basis. I have 100 per cent confidence in the NHS.
“And that is why I wouldn’t use anything other than the NHS. And I wouldn’t with my relatives.”
Rishi Sunak declared he would pay to see a doctor if it freed up space in the public system.
Sir Keir insisted he did not judge others who went private for health or education.
He said: “I’m not going to criticise anybody who wants to send their children to private school.
“I understand many families work hard and save hard in order to be able to do so, equally with private health.
“But when it comes to the health service I fundamentally believe in the NHS.”