🔗 Share this article Starmer Criticizes Jenrick's Handsworth Remarks as Hard to Take Seriously. Keir Starmer has criticized Robert Jenrick's remarks about not seeing another white face in areas of Handsworth, suggesting the politician was hard to take seriously. Political Ambitions Claims The prime minister implied that Jenrick's observations were part of a stealth Conservative leadership campaign and said he did not believe they painted a true picture the neighborhood of the Birmingham district. I find it difficult to regard Robert Jenrick's statements as credible; he's obviously continuing his leadership campaign. The shadow justice secretary has been accused of fuelling a fire of toxic nationalism after he doubled down on his complaint despite criticism from individuals including the former Conservative mayor of the West Midlands, the former mayor. Community Response and Support The prime minister, who avoided directly addressing the comments, said he had supported Street's criticisms of the MP. The former mayor had stated to BBC Newsnight the comments were wrong and portrayed the area as a very integrated place. In my view, Andy Street's comments were accurate, Starmer said. Andy Street obviously was mayor for a long time and knows the area very very well. The Conservative leader, defended Jenrick, saying he had made a truthful observation and that there was nothing wrong with making observations. But she also told the program: In my opinion, the discussion should not focus on the number or appearance of individuals seen on streets. Internal Disagreements Mel Stride became the initial high-ranking Conservative to disassociate from his colleague over the statements, informing a gathering that they were not words that I would have used. The MP repeatedly told journalists at the conference that he supported the comments and did not retract them as it would be wrong to shut down an important debate that the nation needs to engage in about integration. When a Sky News journalist suggested that his remarks could embolden far-right groups, he said it was an absolutely disgraceful and ridiculous question. Initial Remarks In his initial comments, Jenrick said the area was among the least cohesive locations I have visited. Specifically, in the 90 minutes he was filming news there he observed no other white individuals. That’s not the kind of country I want to live in. I want to live in a country where people are properly integrated. It’s not about the colour of your skin or your faith – of course it isn’t. But I want people to be living alongside each other, not parallel lives. That’s not the right way we want to live as a country.