"As the commotion died down, Keir Starmer, then Brexit spokesman, stood at the podium, blinking in surprise. He wasn't really accustomed to his speeches having such an effect. All he had said was: Nobody is ruling out remain as an option. But context is everything. During that darkly divisive time of 2018, departing from his agreed text in this way was always going to be seen as laying down the gauntlet to Jeremy Corbyn, who was trying to prioritise leave supporters in working-class seats over the pro-European instincts of his party."
"One of his first acts after taking over from Corbyn in 2020 was to declare the Brexit issue had been settled by the previous year's general election. And, at the last one, he repeatedly emphasised manifesto red line commitments that forbade re-entry into the EU, the single market or a customs union. Like his predecessor, his strategy has been to pursue Brexit-y voters in key seats, even if polling evidence suggests many of them have died or changed their minds."
Seven years ago a brief remark — 'Nobody is ruling out remain as an option' — electrified the Labour conference and signalled a challenge to Jeremy Corbyn's leave-prioritising approach. Keir Starmer was momentarily transformed into a risk-taker who appeared to defend pro-European MPs, members and voters. After becoming Labour leader in 2020 he declared Brexit settled and consistently upheld manifesto red lines forbidding EU re-entry, the single market or a customs union. He has pursued leave-leaning voters in key seats despite polling suggesting shifts in opinion. Starmer and Rachel Reeves have intensified rhetoric about the economic damage caused by leaving the EU.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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