Words have to win over voters’ jury
WHEN Keir Starmer was a top lawyer he specialised in judge-led cases rather than having to persuade a jury.
It required him to use his fierce intellect but he rarely had to win over a dozen peers in court.
One MP told the Mirror: “He was always better at convincing the judge than the jury.”
Some in Labour fear their party leader may struggle to make that same emotional connection with voters.
They worry that he lacks the political instinct to talk directly to the public in a way that makes them feel he really gets them.
So his first conference speech as Labour leader today will be the most important of his political career.
After 18 months of being unable to get round the country, he finally has the chance, as one aide puts it, to “hold the mic” and talk directly to voters.
SERIOUS
Starmer’s allies say he will be underlining dissatisfaction with Boris Johnson by claiming the Tories are “strong on slogans, weak on government”.
The allies say: “These are serious times that require serious leadership.”
His five days at the Brighton seaside may have helped the party turn the page on the Jeremy Corbyn era for good.
His aides say winning the battle over internal party rules and the departure of the last Corbynite from his Shadow Cabinet have tightened his grip.
Starmer began writing his speech, which wife Vicky will watch from the front row, on his family summer break in Dorset.
Labour insiders say it will be his most personal to date as he tries to tell the public his story.
On the eve of delivering his speech last night, before making the final tweaks, Starmer told the Mirror that he was not nervous.
But his judge today will not be those watching him in the room.
It will be the jury of public opinion.