Starmer’s support shows good leadership

In supporting Boris Johnson, Sir Keir Starmer showed his genuine concern for the economy and education. You could forgive the Prime Minister for displaying just a touch of triumphalism. His opposite number could have avoided supporting the Government’s latest winding down of lockdown measures.

It would have been the politically opportunistic thing to do: withhold support and camouflage your ambivalence by asking some learned and – dare we say – forensic questions about the scientific basis of the relaxed guidance.

Instead, the Labour leader was refreshingly positive about the new regime: “Overall, I welcome this statement. I believe the Government is trying to do the right thing, and we will support them.”

If you’ve been paying attention, you will recall that on being elected leader back in April, Starmer promised to lead “constructive opposition”, a policy he adhered to right up until the point when things started to go wrong with the Government’s handling of coronavirus, at which point normal

partisan politics was resumed. Perhaps stung by those of us who pointed out this cynicism, Starmer led his response to Johnson’s announcement yesterday with a reminder of that promise, perhaps inviting us to believe he had stuck to it in the interim.

Such machinations notwithstanding, the Labour Party has been led to a position where it is now a co-owner of the Government’s lockdown strategy.

If it turns out that social distancing measures are being relaxed prematurely, if today’s announcement leads to a fresh spike in infection, that will be disastrous for Johnson and his Government. But it will also taint the Labour opposition, given its support for Johnson’s policies.

One crucial point not to be overlooked, however, is Starmer’s genuine concern for the economy and for children’s education, priorities not shared by large numbers of his party who dismiss economic growth as irrelevant and who prioritise the voice of the teaching unions. The Labour leader has chosen the right side while making enemies. Which is what good leaders should do.

One crucial point not to be overlooked is his genuine concern for the economy and for children’s education