Starmer-most competent opposition leader since Blair?

Thoughts? I certainly think so

Thoughts? I certainly think so

Define competent? Brown was certainly competent if not overly popular.

He is good yes, although whatever you thought of Cameron as a PM he was also a very good opposition leader so I would say since Cameron.

I like him, yes. The dry, forensic and legalistic approach certainly works in cutting through Boris' comedy act of bluster and vagueness, particularly at the moment where this terrible government needs holding to account. It's not going to work long-term though, and we need a bit more bloodthirstiness from him. It was nice to see a hint of that yesterday.

All in all, I think it's a very promising start. Finally this government might have to accept that it doesn't exist as some autocratic executive, and can't just act like it's above scrutiny and criticism.

Define competent? Brown was certainly competent if not overly popular.

I like him, yes. The dry, forensic and legalistic approach certainly works in cutting through Boris' comedy act of bluster and vagueness, particularly at the moment where this terrible government needs holding to account. It's not going to work long-term though, and we need a bit more bloodthirstiness from him. It was nice to see a hint of that yesterday.

All in all, I think it's a very promising start. Finally this government might have to accept that it doesn't exist as some autocratic executive, and can't just act like it's above scrutiny and criticism.

I like him, yes. The dry, forensic and legalistic approach certainly works in cutting through Boris' comedy act of bluster and vagueness, particularly at the moment where this terrible government needs holding to account. It's not going to work long-term though, and we need a bit more bloodthirstiness from him. It was nice to see a hint of that yesterday.

All in all, I think it's a very promising start. Finally this government might have to accept that it doesn't exist as some autocratic executive, and can't just act like it's above scrutiny and criticism.

One of Starmer's challenges is very much this "oil and water" difference with Boris. His forensic approach will win a lot of points, but in the end will it result in any damage to Boris's ability to appeal to the voters?

I think after this and the Cummings incident, Boris' reputation will be considerably weakened. Starmer has a lot to do before even thinking of getting the keys to No.10, but I'm sure his appeal will rise when the North see the Tories having to go back on their manifesto commitments to rectify the damage, i.e tax increases or ending things like the fuel duty freeze..

Thoughts? I certainly think so

No chance at all. Zero.

The polling doesn't agree with you on that one.

Hmm, not sure you can say that with any certainty. There's been very significant swings to Labour recently: if the government beat Labour by, say, only 6 points, their majority starts to look a bit shaky.