Sir Keir: As Popular as Blair.
Ever since Sir Keir Starmer, replaced Jeremy Corbyn, he has gone on to be popular, like Tony Blair, in 1994. Blair, became leader, at a time, in the '90s, when people were getting tired, of Tory rule. Blair, rejuvenated Labour when it had been trounced by Thatcher and Major, in general elections. Labour had been ruled by the well-meaning, but hapless, Michael Foot, a leader, on the far-left. Then came, Neil Kinnock, anther well-meaning Labour, on the left. Kinnock, after losing a general election, moved the party, rightward. He was succeeded by John Smith, who was popular, but sadly died in office, in opposition. Then came the turn of Blair and Brown, (who were described as the political equivalent of Lennon and McCartney, by Bono). Brown agreed for Blair, to have a shot at the leadership and would wait his turn. Blair in '94 became the leader and was popular from the start, Blair was proving more popular, than the incumbent, John Major.
So it proved in 1997, Blair became Prime Minister, with Major, taking losing well, saying he was off to watch the England cricket game. Blair in his time as Prime Minister won another two times, 2001 and 2007. Brown took over in 2007 and went on to lose to Cameron, who formed a coalition government in 2010, with Clegg, leader, of the Liberal Democrats.
In his time, Blair, had his successes and his misfortunes, unfortunately, Blair's biggest misfortune was invading Iraq, along with George Bush. This huge gaff, internationally, overshadows Blair's three successes. This is a crying shame, as Blair has been the only Labour Prime Minister, to win 3 times, he oversaw the first minimum wage and the creation of the 'Good Friday Agreement'. However, it seems when future historians look back on the Blair legacy, these 3 triumphs, will be overshadowed, by the Iraq debacle.
According to an 'IPSOS MORI' poll, Sir Keir is popular among the electorate, Probably because, of his calm demeanour. Also, his forensic questioning of Boris, as if he was in a court of law, as a former barrister. Many times, he leaves, Boris, bumbling and scrambling for an answer, with Boris' clown-like behaviour, not cutting it with, Sir Keir. It is possible, as many pundits have observed, that, Sir Keir, is able to land punches (metaphorically speaking)on Boris, because there is no horde of Tory MPs, making farmyard noises, in support, of Boris. No huge load of MPs, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. MPs from all parties, if they are not present in the chamber, have been, asking the Prime Minister, questions, on Zoom or Skype. Boris, usually overcame, Jeremy Corbyn, because the weapon he had in his arsenal, were his supporters, in the Tory party, making a noise, in his defence. Boris was able to whip up his supporters, to drown out Corbyn and other opponents of his. Boris, without his Tory cheerleaders, is like Godzilla without his nuclear fire, weakened. Likewise, many have postulated, would Sir Keir, be as effective, in such a noisy place as the Commons, when all MPs, are able to take up their seats again.
In Labour, there has been a change in management style, since Starmer, replaced, Corbyn. Out goes the far left with the departure of Corbyn and in comes the soft left (although many on the left, regard Starmer, as a Labour right-winger).
Although in the 'IPSOS MORI' poll, Sir Keir, wins the popularity stakes with the populace, Boris, is still seen, at the moment, as a more capable, leader. Also, the Conservatives, are still more popular, with the electorate, however, Labour, are closing the gap.
Two things will certainly, impact, the fate, politically, of both Boris and Sir Keir. Those will be the economy and the handling of the COVID-19, crisis. Economically and we don't need Tory golden boy Rishi Sunak to tell us this, we are free falling into a huge recession. With many businesses having to close and put their workers, on the governments, job retention scheme.
Of course, many businesses have carried on working through the lockdown, like supermarkets. On 15 June, shops of all sorts will be opening for business, followed by cafes, pubs, and restaurants.
However, if there is a sudden spike and second wave, in the UK, a second forced lockdown, may have to be put in place. Boris' handling of this and Sir Keir's response to this, will define, perhaps, who is entering 10 Downing Street and who is leaving in 2024.
