Kier Starmer has been criticised for “cosplaying” in military uniform on a visit to Estonia.
The Labour leader was visiting British troops at a Nato base in Tapa, Estonia on Thursday, fewer than 100 miles from the Russian border.
During his visit, he was photographed wearing a military camouflage outfit as he was shown around the base.
Some thought the military outfit was “ridiculous”, with others defending Starmer, saying that other military leaders have been photographed in military uniform.
‘Sticks in the craw!’ Starmer sparks fury after ‘cos-playing’ in military garb in Estonia
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Writing in The Telegraph, journalist Ross Clark said: “We know who you are: you are a lawyer, not a lance corporal. Stop trying to pretend you know one end of a bazooka from another.
“By the way, there is no point in wearing camouflage indoors, either. It is there to help make you blend into the grass and bushes, not concrete.
“So I say to any politician thinking of dressing up in military gear: no, you are not going to impress us. We are not that type of country.”
Echoing that was GB News presenter Martin Daubney who added: “I heard this a lot yesterday from veteran mates.
“All this ‘politicians wearing soldier fancy dress’ business really sticks in the craw. This cosplay has hit the roof since Zelensky came on the scene.”
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Sir Kier Starmer was visiting Estonia
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However, others were quick to point out Keir Starmer is not the first politician to don military clothes, with Liz Truss photographed while on previous visits to Estonia wearing camouflage when she was Foreign Secretary in 2021.
Journalist Oliver Kamm said: “In a democratic society, the military takes orders from civilians, not the other way round.
“It’s a good thing that Starmer understands and supports the work of UK armed forces.”
Writer Arieh Kovler wrote: “Starmer has been photographed in fatigues while on military visits before. The Conservative freakout this time seems to have been worse because it’s just a really good photo.”
Former PM Liz Truss in a tank during a visit British troops on deployment to Estonia in 2021
Speaking exclusively to GB News while on his visit to Estonia, Starmer said the party is ready for a general election.
He said: “We are ready for a general election. I’ve had my whole team on a general election footing for some time now.
“Given the complete state of failure now in the country, there’s a real sense that everything is broken, nothing is working.
“The sooner that election comes the better, because for millions of people they can’t afford to wait any longer for that general election…the sooner that is called, the better. We’re ready for it.”
