Back in 1975 I was more interested in rusks than Tory leadership contests, but reading back I understand that many observers going into the leadership contest expected it to be an absolute walkover in Edward Heath’s favour … not least Edward Heath, who called it in order to re-assert his authority. Even when Margaret Thatcher announced she would stand, many still believed her support was minimal and that Heath would win easily, so the idea of Thatcher ‘waiting for the right moment’ isn’t necessarily accurate. She took a risk, put her beliefs and her neck on the line against the incumbent leader and won.
Thanks for reminding me of Starmer’s short spell as Shadow Minister for Immigration under Corbyn between 14th September 2015 and 27th June 2016. He resigned the position stating it was "
simply untenable now to suggest we can offer an effective opposition without a change of leader". But just over three months later, on the 6th October 2016, Starmer accepted the role of Shadow Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union in the Shadow Cabinet of …. Jeremy Corbyn!
I could also point out the irony of Starmer accepting the Brexit job when he was a known Remainer, and Labour advocating Remain when Corbyn was a known Leaver, but there’s a risk of inconsistency overload!
No, but it's an amusing image!
Well yes, Starmer certainly went very quiet on his previous line that it was 'untenable' for Labour to provide effective opposition under Corbyn’s leadership, but I suppose he had to, having just crawled back into the Shadow Cabinet of the self-same guy!
I wouldn’t say I dislike Starmer personally. I tend to agree with BFP that he’s so dull and grey that it’s difficult to generate such a visceral reaction to him. I’d also say as a Conservative voter that Starmer’s politics are far closer to mine than Corbyn’s, even though I disagree with both.
My real dislike is for vacuous modern politicians who I believe are in politics primarily for the benefit of themselves and their careers, rather than a passionate vision and a desire to truly make a difference, whichever wing or party they come from. I would definitely describe Starmer as the vacuous, insincere type who is mainly in it for himself, but I’ll grant you there are many, many others.