Rashford — a model of calm,restraint and respect — could barely contain his disgust,warning children would go to bed that night hungry and feeling like they didn't matter.
"Our views are being clouded by political affiliation,"he said."This is not politics,this is humanity. We talk about the devastating impact of COVID-19 but if projections are anything to go by,child food poverty has the potential to become the greatest pandemic this country has ever faced."
The vote prompted a flood of councils,sporting clubs,community groups and businesses to step into the breach and pledge free food for kids. Rashford is thanking each volunteer via his Twitter,Facebook and Instagram accounts which have 19.3 million combined followers. Some 910,000 Britons have also signed a petition urging the government to extend the voucher program.
Rashford joins a growing club of black sports stars making powerful contributions to political debates. NBA giant LeBron James has been one of the most eloquent champions of the Black Lives Matter movement and Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling has repeatedly spoken out about racism in the Premier League.
A proud black man who grew up in a council estate in Wythenshawe south of Manchester,Rashford is not afraid to take on the Whitehall establishment. When Conservative MP Kevin Hollinrake tweeted in September that it was the job of a parent to feed their children,Rashford responded:"I would urge you to talk to families before tweeting. To this day,I haven't met one parent who hasn't wanted or felt the responsibility to feed their children."
And when Health Secretary Matt Hancock on Monday claimed that there"has been communication"between Rashford and the Prime Minister,the striker hit back and said the pair hadn't spoken since June.
Some Tories who voted down Labour's motion are now having second thoughts,and saying so publicly. They are urging the government to resolve what is fast becoming a public relations disaster. For example,thousands of empty plates are being dumped outside the offices of Tory MPs in a symbolic act of protest.
Marcus Rashford and his mother Melanie visit the FareShare food charity in Manchester. The group's new depot is named Melanie Maynard House.Credit:FareShare
Johnson is not inclined to roll over but may offer a compromise as pressure builds. The Prime Minister points to £63 million distributed to local councils during the pandemic as proof of his administration's support for vulnerable children.
"I totally understand the issue. It is there,we have to deal with it. The debate is how you deal with it,"Johnson said on Monday."We don't want to see children going hungry this winter,this Christmas,certainly not as a result of any inattention by this government. And you are not going to see that."
Whatever the outcome,Rashford hasn't just gone into bat for vulnerable children;the sportsman turned statesman has also reminded Britain that this nation has a conscience.