Keir Starmer writing in the Guardian…

“… the likes of the Stop the War coalition are not benign voices for peace. At best they are naive; at worst they actively give succour to authoritarian leaders who directly threaten democracies. There is nothing progressive in showing solidarity with the aggressor when our allies need our solidarity and – crucially – our practical assistance, now more than ever. The kneejerk reflex, “Britain, Canada, the United States, France – wrong; their enemies – right”, is unthinking conservatism at its worst. To truly stop war, you need to show you are serious about standing up for peace, that you are serious about keeping your promises to your friends, and that you will always stand up to those who threaten.

…

Russian tanks sit, engines revving, on the verge of annexing Ukraine, but protest placards waved here by the usual suspects condemn Nato, not Moscow. Any equating of the right of a sovereign nation to determine its own future, even to exist, and the vicious aggression of a neighbour is an intellectual sham. To do so is not merely misguided: it is morally wrong.“

Yesterday’s reshuffle was subject to additional drama thanks to Sir Keir’s decision to “blindside” Angela Rayner, withholding information of his specific intentions and launching the shake-up during her big anti-sleaze speech. It now appears Keir has snubbed poor Angie again…

Guido’s been passed the invite for this year’s LOTO Christmas Lobby drinks. According to the text, hacks have been asked to “save the date for Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves’ Christmas party”. It seems odd that Keir’s hosting his big festive shindig in conjunction with his Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves, rather than the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Angela Rayner. At any rate, Jenny Harries may yet have the drinks party cancelled…

After booting out the hard left of the Labour Party, Starmer seemed keen to flex his woke credentials today on Good Morning Britain. When asked who his favourite Bond is, Sir Keir once again remained on the fence, claiming that while he doesn’t have a favourite, he does think it’s time Britain had “a female bond”. Is Angie up for another promotion?

Unfortunately for Sir Keir, it looks like he’s once again at odds with the mood of the country: YouGov polling shows that 53% of the country think a female Bond is “unacceptable“, with just 31% in favour. The Writing’s on The Wall…

During Sir Keir’s speech yesterday Guido counted at least 9 heckles from disgruntled party members. Today on LBC, Starmer addressed the issue of disunity in the Labour Party by telling Nick Ferrari:

“…the vast majority of the conference hall were with me and in fact they policed the hecklers. The line that I used, the one I think was probably the most powerful was saying ‘chanting slogans or changing lives’ and they’re the choices for the Labour Party. We changed this week to change lives and we’re leaving behind the chanting of slogans that get you no where.” 

Despite the swooning of the pundits and the commentariat this morning, a conference dominated by infighting sees the Tory lead remain at 8 points ahead in the latest YouGov poll…

With shadow cabinet ministers ditching the morning media round for the third day in a row, McDonnell jumped at the opportunity to publicly bash Labour leader Keir Starmer on Radio 4. On Today, McDonnell addressed Starmer’s controversial decision to change the way Labour leaders are elected:

“He [Keir] was elected one member one vote. He never mentioned any of these reforms in that election itself and I think he is opening himself up to charges of dishonesty on this. And if it comes to the point where our own members can’t trust him (…) [we are left with] a Labour leader making grubby stitch up deals trying to bounce his own agenda.” 

Brighton’s going to be fun…

Political biographer Lord Ashcroft is back with a must-read new book, ‘Red Knight: The Unauthorised Biography of Sir Keir Starmer’. In this meticulous examination of Sir Keir’s life and career, Lord Ashcroft goes in search of what makes him tick.

Does Sir Keir have what it takes to be the next Labour Prime Minister? Or is he just another member of the metropolitan elite?

Read ‘Red Knight: The Unauthorised Biography of Sir Keir Starmer’ to answer your questions about the Leader of the Opposition.