Keir Starmer needs a bolder vision – being the grownup in the room isn't enough | Andy Beckett

The Labour leader’s minimalist, methodical approach is beating Boris Johnson’s chaos so far. But where are the big ideas?

Keir Starmer likes things to be neat. His hair, how he speaks, how he manages his party: a definite Starmer style has emerged since he became Labour leader just under 100 days ago. He doesn’t waste words, briskly summing up the government’s handling of Covid-19 as “flailing around”. He quickly sacked Rebecca Long-Bailey when the row about her and Israel threatened to get messy.

Starmer faces a government that – partly by design – is Britain’s most disorderly for decades. Boris Johnson rarely utters a clear sentence. Dominic Cummings regards disruptive as a compliment. U-turns, broken promises and bloody Whitehall restructurings occur almost weekly.

Related: Boris Johnson refuses to apologise to care workers at PMQs

Related: Labour's real struggle is not left v right – it is to keep young and minority voters | Owen Jones

Continue reading...