Controversy Ignites as Esther McVey Links Labour’s Smoking Ban to Nazi Germany, Sparks Outrage from Jewish Group

A Jewish organization has criticized a tweet by Esther McVey regarding a smoking ban as 'repugnant'. The former minister defended her use of a well-known poem by Martin Niemöller, which comments on the passive behavior of certain groups during the Nazi era in Germany, asserting that the poem's message was relevant to the Labour Party's suggested policies for outdoor pub areas.

Political correspondent @NifS

Friday, August 30, 2024, 07:

A Board of Deputies of British Jews described a tweet by a Conservative MP regarding the suggested prohibition of smoking in pub gardens as "repugnant."

On Thursday, Sir Keir Starmer announced that his administration is considering implementing bans on smoking in certain public areas, such as restaurant patios, nightclub exteriors, and various parks.

In reaction to the announcement, Esther McVey, the former "common sense" minister, shared a well-known poem by Martin Niemöller, which reflects on the lack of opposition in Germany to the Nazis during World War II. She commented that the poem's message was particularly relevant to Starmer's proposed smoking ban.

The Jewish advocacy organization subsequently shared a statement on X, expressing that employing language associated with "the atrocities committed by the Nazis" to draw parallels with the proposals was "a thoughtless and offensive act".

They also stated: "We urge the MP for Tatton to remove her tweet and issue an apology for this remarkably insensitive comparison."

Learn more: Implementing a ban on outdoor smoking: Could this spell the end for cigarettes in beer gardens?

Ms. McVey stated that it was "absurd for anyone to even imply" she was comparing the two, and although she did not mean to offend anyone, she insisted she would "not be coerced" into removing the tweet.

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Health Minister Wes Streeting shared a sharp critique on X, referencing the former Conservative government's proposals to prohibit smoking among the youth and advised Ms. McVey to "get a grip."

He stated, "I don't believe that Martin Niemöller's post-war admission regarding the passive involvement of the German intellectuals and religious leaders during the ascent of the Nazis is relevant to a smoking bill that was included in both your platform and ours to address one of the major causes of death."

Ellie Reeves, the chair of the Labour Party, described Ms. McVey's post as "grossly offensive," especially given her recent tenure at the Conservative cabinet. She urged Conservative leader Rishi Sunak and all the contenders vying for his position to publicly denounce the post.

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In remarks shared with Sky News, Ms. McVey clarified, "It's absurd to claim that prohibiting smoking outside pubs is comparable to the atrocities the Nazis inflicted on Jews. It's preposterous to suggest that was my intention."

"It's known as an analogy – those who limit freedoms often begin with vulnerable groups before broadening their scope.

"I believe it's clear to everyone that my intentions were not to offend or draw any direct comparisons."

Criticizing the newly elected Labour government, which she labeled as "socialist," she warned that its policies should alarm everyone, accusing it of enacting legislation without proper authorization, from taking funds from the elderly to stripping rights from citizens and overseeing a biased policing and justice system.

She stated: "I refuse to be pressured into deleting a tweet by individuals who are intentionally misinterpreting my words and taking offense, even though they understand that no offense was meant.

"There's an excess of this politically correct intimidation aimed at suppressing any opinions they disagree with. If they believe I can be intimidated like this, they've chosen the wrong person to confront. It's essential that someone opposes these urban advocates of political correctness."

Ms. McVey stated, "The focus of public outrage should not be my tweet, but rather Starmer's deceitful tactics to gain power and his subsequent disregard for the people."

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Several Conservative MPs have criticized the proposed measures today, claiming that they infringe on individual liberties, while Reform Party leader Nigel Farage has declared he will boycott pubs if the regulation is implemented.

Industry insiders from the hospitality sector have also expressed concerns that this action will negatively affect their earnings.

Health charities have applauded the move, stating that it will shield individuals from the risks associated with second-hand smoke.

Sky News has reached out to Ms McVey and the Conservative Party seeking their comments.

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