DULL BUT STEADY SIR KEIR COULD END TORY HONEYMOON

TORY MPs are relishing their extended honeymoon with the electorate.Thanks to Labour’s seemingly interminable contest to find a replacement for Jeremy Corbyn, newly-elected backbenchers on the Government side say the almost complete absence of any opposition atWestminster is giving them plenty of time to settle in.

With the next Labour leader not confirmed until April 4, they are determined to make the most of the final month.

“Labour aren’t doing anything publicly back in my constituency,” said oneTory newcomer in the so-called BlueWall seats captured from Labour in the north of England at the December general election. “They are consumed with their own internal leadership process.

“It is giving free reign to get established in the community and set out the issues I want to campaign on without having to worry about Labour attacks all the time,” the MP added.

Sir Keir Starmer’s emergence as the clear frontrunner in the Labour race is being seen as a warning that the opposition-free honeymoon period is coming to an end.

Tories admit that the former director of public prosecutions is likely to prove a tougher foe than the shambling Mr Corbyn or his floundering hard-Left protege Rebecca

Long-Bailey. “Starmer is the candidate who looks most like a potential future prime minister,” one veteranTory backbencher said.

Sir Keir is not striking fear intoTory hearts as a potential electoral threat in the way thatTony Blair once did. He is seen as an unexciting politician who is unlikely to fire enthusiasm among the electorate.

But his dull competence could prove effective. “Labour could be back in the game as a proper opposition under Starmer, which isn’t something we have had for years thanks to Corbyn,” the backbencher added.

Tory MPs should make the most of their final few weeks of freedom.

JEB Bush, brother of ex-US president George, gave a harsh verdict on the BBC during a visit to London this week. “I’m amazed how biased UK political coverage is by the BBC,” the former Florida governor tweeted. “They are incredibly rude to Tory MPs, all paid for by UK taxpayers. I enjoy their world coverage but why the vitriol when it is about UK politics?”