Why Labour leader Keir Starmer may struggle – Kenny MacAskill

It will be hard for new Labour leader Keir Starmer with his thunder stolen by the pandemic, writes Kenny MacAskill.

Will Keir Starmer be able to make an impact amid the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak, wonders Kenny MacAskill (Picture: John Devlin)

Keir Starmer was anointed leader of the opposition but to little fanfare – understandable as the dates had already been set before the virus kicked in, nevermind a lockdown imposed.

But it must be a real worry for those hoping his election will revive the party’s fortunes.

In politics, the first 100 days are vital in setting the scene and letting the world get to know you.

It’s a time for being launched and then to go crisscrossing all over the country, pressing the flesh and making policy announcements. A tried and tested formula and, even if it doesn’t work, it has to be gone through.

But that isn’t happening for the new Labour leader. His thunder has been stolen by the pandemic and policy announcements are a reaction to the crisis.

He and his entourage will be hoping that the clocks have simply stopped, and they can begin again when it’s all over.

But can they? He’s no longer new or fresh, as he’s been rolled out and been having to comment on issues already. When this is past, the virus will still either be the main issue or it’ll be an inquiry into its handling and all overshadowed by the financial devastation that’ll lie all around. They’ll be putting their hope in another political maxim that ‘it’s governments that lose elections not oppositions that win them’. But it doesn’t look as if it’ll be in his own hands with internal feuding already tarnishing the little coverage that there’s been.