Keir Starmer launched an unexpected Brexit zinger – and it hit the spot | Martin Kettle

Labour’s Brexit boss set the conference alight when he revealed that remain could still be an option on a people’s vote

Keir Starmer’s speech to the Labour conference in Liverpool was significant for two reasons: for what it said, and for how it went down. As usual, time will tell; but both the speech and the response have the potential to push Labour, and Britain, towards the eventual, but still improbable, reopening of the entire Brexit issue.

Starmer isn’t one of the great natural party conference orators. You still feel that he is learning how to perform some of the baser political skills that don’t always come naturally to a senior barrister. But there was no missing the zinger that he launched into the Liverpool hall towards the end of a well-argued speech about Brexit – or its effect.

Related: Starmer opens Labour's Brexit debate and says 'nobody is ruling out remain' - Politics live

Related: Labour must not betray leave voters over Brexit | Gisela Stuart

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