Minty

The LibDem’s victory in the North Shropshire by-election might worry Kier Starmer more than it does Boris Johnson. On the bright side for Johnson, he can stagger on for a while yet, but if he doesn’t he is more or less guaranteed to start earning more money as an ex-PM than he ever dreamt of. Look at Blair. But for Starmer if this result does lead to Johnson getting the old heave-ho, we could see a more competent Tory replacement, in which case Starmer’s contrasting his alleged competence against Bonkers Boris will no longer work. The result for Labour in the by-election, in a seat where we have come second the last three times it was fought was abysmal. Labour’s revival under Starmer has yet to materialise, and his options are narrowing, just as he morphs into a bland, struggling for something to do manager. Perhaps there’s a lesson here for the centrists. Perhaps the centre ground in politics resembles a Polo mint.

It's not been unnoticed either that Starmer's recent support for the latest round of government Covid measures came with no price tag. Starmer gave Johnson a free pass. Some more cynical than I might suggest he ought to be given a little office in 10 Downing Street.