Alex Armstrong erupts over Keir Starmer's Spanish holiday amid fragile Middle East ceasefire: 'Utter joke!'

Lydia Davies
Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:57:32 +0000

Alex Armstrong has hit out at the Prime Minister as criticism grows over the timing of Keir Starmer’s recent holiday during a period of heightened global tensions.

The backlash comes after it emerged that Sir Keir Starmer had been on an Easter break in Spain while Donald Trump issued stark warnings about potentially “obliterating” Iran amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The Prime Minister returned to the UK on Tuesday evening before quickly departing again for a planned diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states.

The People's Channel presenter took to X to vent his frustration, writing: “The Prime Minister and Defence Secretary both taking a mid-war holiday.

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"What an utter joke," Alex brutally surmised. The GB News star's remarks quickly gained traction online, with social media users piling into the debate.

Some critics accused Sir Keir of failing to demonstrate leadership at a critical moment.

“Doesn’t that just show how unserious they are about running this country?” one user wrote.

Another added: “If they really wanted to protect this country, they wouldn’t swan off on holiday at this critical time.”

A third critic penned: “The world knows a leader that does nothing leads nothing.”

Others drew comparisons with Sir Keir's political rivals, with one commenting: “While Nigel Farage and the Reform team are working hard all over the country, showing they care about the British people.”

However, not all responses were critical of the Prime Minister.

Some users defended Sir Keir's schedule, pointing out the diplomatic nature of his trip.

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The Prime Minister and Defence Secretary both taking a mid-war holiday.

What an utter joke.
— Alex Armstrong (@Alexarmstrong) April 9, 2026

“He has gone to Saudi Arabia to talk peace... no other leader has gone there yet,” one person noted.

Another questioned the framing of the criticism altogether, asking: “Are we at war?”

"Is he not allowed to spend time with his family?" penned another.

GB News presenter Patrick Christys also weighed in on the debate.

He posted on X: “Starmer nipped off to Valencia, John Healey disappeared to the South of France.

"The PM and Defence Secretary both went on holiday as WW3 threatened to erupt,."

The row has drawn renewed attention to comments Sir Keir made while in opposition, when he criticised former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and then-Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab for remaining on holiday during the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.

At the time, Sir Keir said: “You cannot coordinate an international response from the beach,” adding that he “wouldn’t stay on holiday while Kabul was falling.”

Despite the backlash, allies of Keir Starmer have suggested the timing of his travel was part of long-standing diplomatic planning, noting his Middle East visit was only confirmed after a ceasefire was announced from Washington.

Polling has indicated a mixed public response, with voters divided over Sir Keir’s performance during the crisis.