That Starmer fella...

He’s very good at doing that, but Johnson is even better at wriggling off the hook.

I don't think the theatre of that was a win for Starmer, he's been punchier, but in terms of the achievements (agreeing that ministers code applied to Johnson, getting agreement to publish in full) I think that was a significant win.

I do wish he'd go for the jugular a bit more - the theatre of QT is part of the point - but if it is a tactical loss or draw, I would say it was a strategic win.

Felt like he was keeping his powder dry for all out attack after the Gray report and, as you say, laying down a couple of lines in advance of that. I imagine he must have some idea of what's in it by now.

Yes, I think there was only so much that could be done today without any report/police inquiry being released.

From last week's PMQs

He also got Johnson to confirm that the full Gray report will be filed, not just the findings.

I see Johnson was trying to wriggle out of that one today.

Starmer actually displayed a bit of spunk today. Quoting Thatcher was a nice touch.

Extraordinary low blow at Keir Starmer from Boris Johnson, giving Parliamentary credence to the false online smear about Starmer not prosecuting Jimmy Savile. It's just not true. And surely the PM knows it?

lol and also lmao

If he doesn’t get forced out, all of this behaviour could be normalised. Horrible situation.

Starmer’s speech was v impressive today. Focus on converting MPs/bench to no confidence as nothing will stick to Johnson. I felt a bit queasy watching the ministers nodding along. Eurrgh.

May was good. Fields of wheat and all that. Actually miss her.

This might help with that:

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I thought the most important thing about Starmer's speech yesterday was his direct support for people who were feeling stupid, callous, or guilty, for having followed the advice to stay away from dying relatives, at a time when the PM was partying. That is leadership we have been sorely lacking and it is important.

Starmer hit exactly the right tone. It was interesting to hear how quiet the Commons were when he spoke.

Amusing that the ineffectual Speaker has now (a day later) condemned Johnson's Savill jibe.

It looks as though Johnson will limp on for a while at least. His position as a "world leader" is gone. If he can't keep a group of twenty-something SPADs in check, how is he supposed to unite the western world? That said, a damaged Johnson limping on may well be better than Truss or Sunak

Certainly better for Labour

position as a "world leader"

Asked to rearrange that Monday phone call with putin, Russia declined

savile, worboys, grooming gangs, SKSQC broke lockdown rules too etc - none of these memes being untrue is going to stop the RW ruthlessly deploying them (with no doubt lethal effect) against SKSQC come the next election. we’ve just had a small taster this week of what’s to come

and we’re not far off ‘fake news’. Nadine Dories yday on c4 was scary. Crikey.

We may, finally, be post-truth.

It's not gaining much traction at the moment though. I think a combination of Johnson and his cabinet getting ever more ludicrous and Starmer just not being that exciting.

Dangerous game for them with Savile.

stuff like this doesn't matter - they'll just have bots seed the idea (into boomer FB and whatsapp groups) that "starmer defends nonces" then sit back and reap the rewards. they perfected this playbook on corbyn, and will have a field day stripping the bark from the human rights lawyer

lmao don't even need to do that^, when auntie will just beam these RW memes straight into people's eyeballs on national TV

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Thats a Photoshop thats been doing the rounds for yonks, the others Savile in a white TShirt.

I didn't know that, thanks.

https://twitter.com/LabourSJ/status/1486321157804638209

Maybe, maybe not. Depending who comes next, the cabinet will almost certainly be stripped of the incompetent and dangerous who are prepared to double down on any lie the current leader comes up with. Dorries, Rees-Mogg, Braverman, Patel etc. I think Sunak eg, would probably bring in people who were at least reasonably competent rather than sycophants only and the level of politicial discourse just might rise up a couple of levels.
If Johnson and pals limp on they will continue to play really dirty - some of which will stick to Starmer and do damage. Politics could do with being a bit dull again.

I haven't seen PMQs recently, so maybe Starmer has already gone with this, but I think the line 'instead of levelling up he has been having a knees up' is the attack they should make. Move on from cakegate and attack on the absolute lack of delivery because they have been too busy partying then trying to cover it up. Did Starmer go with something like that?

No, but he did have a few good lines. This was good I thought

https://youtu.be/IX_ACa_N_lM