Katy Balls Katy Balls

Has Keir Starmer managed to unite the Tory party?

Keir Starmer (photo: Parliament UK / Jessica Taylor)

This week’s Prime Minister’s Questions stood out from previous sessions. Boris Johnson appeared the most comfortable he has in recent weeks – boosted by the loud support of the Tory MPs allowed in the socially distanced Commons chamber. In a way this was strange – Conservative MPs have become grumpier with each week when it comes to the government’s coronavirus strategy.

So, what’s changed? Keir Starmer’s intervention on Tuesday calling for a circuit break has had a unifying effect on the party. One of the common complaints against Johnson from lockdown sceptic MPs is that his coronavirus strategy is too restrictive. The three tier system announced on Monday was seen as a further ratcheting up of measures.

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