Labour's Keir Starmer is copying Joe Biden's strategy to defeat Donald Trump – Kenny MacAskill MP

As Labour leader Keir Starmer just waits for Boris Johnson to fail, his party’s left is in despair, writes Kenny MacAskill MP.

What does Labour leader Keir Starmer stand for, wonders Kenny MacAskill (Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)

He came, he saw but few noticed or cared. Sir Keir Starmer’s Scottish visit was underwhelming to say the least. A cold meeting with the beleaguered Richard Leonard. Though, it could hardly have been a joyful catch up, given Starmer’s public support has been far from enthusiastic. Privately it’s even said his fingerprints are on the failed coup against his Scottish comrade.

It has been an inauspicious start for the bright former prosecutor. His skills unable to be properly deployed with the backdrop of coronavirus and the subdued atmosphere in the parliamentary chamber. To be fair he’s drawn level in recent polls but, given the complete incompetence of the Johnson administration, it’s hardly earthshattering and more a real cause for future concern.

What if Boris improves, hard as it may be to see that happening, or perhaps more likely is deposed and replaced by someone much more able. What then for Labour? It’s true that governments lose elections but when you’ve got a majority of 80 to overcome, unless you’re working on a two-term strategy you need to up your game; and even that isn’t guaranteed.

Instead Starmer seems to be copying the Joe Biden playbook. Leave it to Trump or Johnson and inherit by default when they fail. That’s playing with fire and I already fear that it won’t work for the Democratic challenger. As America polarises, Biden’s appealing to neither side and the democratic base is hardly enthused or motivated, as they were for example with Obama.

It’s the same in England where Labour appears to stand for little other than not being the Johnson Government. They’re almost implying they’d change little, just do it better. On coronavirus where Johnson’s bungling has been staggering, consensus has been sought. On Brexit it seems, it’s happened and just needs accepting. The Rule of law broken, well not good, but nothing to bring the Government down over.

Little wonder that left, and even not so left, activists are in despair. I disagreed with Blairism but at least you knew what it was. This isn’t anything and certainly not socialism or social democracy.

Kenny MacAskill is the SNP MP for East Lothian

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