Starmer’s beergate gamble

Keir Starmer has just confirmed in a press conference that he will resign if issued with a fine by Durham police over his curry and beer on the campaign trail last year. Starmer is adamant that he has broken no rules, that he merely had something to eat while working late. In his statement, Starmer said he would resign if fined as ‘the British public deserve politicians who think the rules apply to them’. In a clear attempt to draw a contrast with Boris Johnson, he said he wanted to show that not all politicians are the same.

Given how hard it was to see how Starmer could have survived as Labour leader if he had been fined, today’s move gives Starmer some control back over the situation and means he still has a way to contrast himself with Johnson on the whole partygate issue.