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Sadiq turns up the pressure on Starmer over Brexit

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All is not well in Labour land. After last week’s row over Ulez, the dispute between Sadiq Khan and Keir Starmer shows no sign of relenting. This time, the casus belli is, surprise, surprise, Brexit. In a veiled swipe at his boss, Khan criticised the UK’s policy towards Europe in comments to (who else?) the New York Times – the biggest Brit-bashers this side of the Baltic.

In an article, titled ‘In the U.K, a Disaster No One Wants to Talk About’ Khan chimed in with his two pennies’ worth to the world’s worst newspaper. The Mayor moaned how: ‘I’m frustrated that no one’s talking about it’ and described Brexit as ‘the elephant in the room’, urging the UK to forge closer trade and immigration ties with the bloc. It’s a stark contrast to Starmer’s Brexit policy, which, he says, is focused upon leaving behind ‘arguments of the past.’ 

Instead, Starmer’s focus for the present seems to be on Ulez, where he has been putting some not-so-subtle pressure on Khan.

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Steerpike

Steerpike is The Spectator's gossip columnist, serving up the latest tittle tattle from Westminster and beyond. Email tips to steerpike@spectator.co.uk or message @MrSteerpike

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