Coronavirus: How Keir Starmer is putting pressure on Boris Johnson

The new Labour leader is taking a step back then landing deft blows when the prime minister’s plans go wrong, writes Sean O'Grady

The bolder of Sir Keir’s latest moves has been on Europe (EPA)

As the old adage goes, oppositions don’t win elections, governments lose them. In other words, a lucky opposition leader will find themself confronted with an administration of such stunning ineptitude that they need hardly turn up for the game. After all, it is only fair to point out that Jeremy Corbyn’s stunningly impressive progress at the 2017 general election had much to do with his populist appeal and dedicated activists – but perhaps as much to do with the failures of Theresa May and her team. Besides, he still lost.

Thus far Keir Starmer has been able to land some deft blows on Boris Johnson because the prime minister’s coronavirus action plan hasn’t always gone to plan. Sir Keir was able to tap into a common theme around the government’s “road map” to unlocking the lockdown. When even the foreign secretary gets so publicly muddled up on the detail of family reunions and when the new rules take effect (actually rather important details), it makes it easier to call for these things to be cleared up. When Sir Keir regrets the lack of consensus he can simply point to the way the prime minister’s tactics have been ignored or even ridiculed in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. There is skill though – the earnest quest to encourage ministers to get their act together is accompanied by a frank admission that it would not be easy for any government.