Keir Starmer’s ruthless streak shows the Tories have been wrong to write him off as just a ‘Remainer lawyer’

From Brexit to the sacking of Rebecca Long-Bailey, the Labour leader has surprised many Conservatives, writes Andrew Grice

Keir Starmer's swift handling of the Rebecca Long-Bailey situation showed decisive leadership (Aaron Chown/PA Wire)

Dominic Cummings has described Keir Starmer as a “Remainer lawyer”. The Labour leader is also happy to trade legal jibes with Boris Johnson during prime minister’s questions; both use phrases such as “no more witnesses”. Starmer can’t deny his past as director of public prosecutions and sees no reason to. Johnson’s attack is meant to show his adversary will argue one case one day and another the next, so he believes in nothing. But some Tories doubt its potency. Do the public really hate lawyers?

As for the other half of Cummings’ label, Starmer stubbornly refuses to play the Remainer part Johnson hoped and expected he would. Starmer has declined to join the SNP, Liberal Democrats, Scottish and Welsh governments and the Scottish Labour Party in calling for an extension to the transitional period beyond 31 December.

Significantly, Starmer’s determination to throw off his Remainer tag has contributed to Johnson adopting a more positive stance in trade deal talks with the EU – which resume on Monday for an intensive five-week phase. Insiders in London and Brussels tell me they are prepared to make concessions. So far, the two camps have traded blows online but the switch to face-to-face talks should make serious negotiations easier.