UK Election Perplexities Will Test Keir Starmer’s Mettle
Anything can happen during a campaign — and usually does.
Things could get personal.
Photographer: Carl Court/Getty Images Europe
Before the general election campaign was even called, pollsters were declaring it game, set and match to Labour leader Keir Starmer. The opposition party’s 21-point average poll lead appears unassailable: The country clearly wants the Tories out. Even the heavens echoed that message as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was drenched outside No. 10 announcing July 4 as his date with destiny. His words sounded by turns mournful and valedictory — fitting for a leader whose personal ratings are minus 50.
Starmer’s press conference, by contrast, was confident and slick. Flanked by two enormous Union Jack flags, he recited his charge sheet of the government’s failures like the crown prosecutor he once was.