Starmer and Brexit

There are, as Polly Toynbee says, too many risks attached to Labour voting for Johnson`s "economy-wrecking deal" for Starmer to do anything other than order his MPs to abstain (Johnson`s deal will spark a war in his party, 08/12/20). Allowing the government`s obvious divisions to widen, and its leader`s hold on the party to weaken, is clearly a sensible way forward for an Opposition racked with its own unity problems. Starmer`s opportunity for a "speech of a lifetime" must, most certainly, not be wasted, as long as it includes all the ingredients appropriate for a leader who won his position electorally by promising to carry out much of his predecessor`s manifesto. By focussing on this, pointing out all of the Tories` 2016 unredeemable pledges, and adding assurances to oppose not only any deregulation following Brexit which threatens workers` rights, safety and security, but any moves towards a return to austerity, he could yet prove himself capable of unifying his party. Increasing the distance between Labour and the Tories, whether over Brexit, the economy and the north-south divide, or basic domestic policy is now more important than ever. ,