Now Capt Crasheroonie Snoozefest squirms over looming rail strikes

KEIR Starmer has said he can ‘quite understand’ workers taking industrial action but dodged questions over his support for specific strikes as major unions stepped up their threats of ‘unlawful’ measures.

The Labour leader said yesterday it was ‘reasonable’ for workers to expect pay rises in line with inflation but suggested the best course for union members was to ‘usher in a Labour government’.

Sir Keir – branded ‘Captain Crasheroonie Snoozefest’ by Boris Johnson in one of his last Prime Minister’s Questions sessions – has thrown his party into turmoil since banning frontbenchers from joining picket lines. He even sacked shadow transport minister Sam Tarry after he joined one, though the party said Mr Tarry was dismissed because he gave unapproved media interviews from the picket line.

Major unions have already threatened to sever historic ties with Sir Keir’s party over the leadership’s lack of support. It comes after RMT boss Mick Lynch challenged the Labour leader to be more radical.