Peter Mandelson opines that the leader of the opposition could do with losing a few pounds. Odd one, this, for at least two reasons. First, because I doubt anyone else has given a second thought to Keir Starmer’s body shape; it’s just plain normal. No, it’s better: it’s on the more attractive side of normal, if he doesn’t mind me saying so. Never mind fat‑shaming, I’ll objectify him instead. He’s a fine-lookin’ fella and no mistake.
Second, Mandelson’s appraisal of the prospective prime minister came as part of a discourse on how leaders’ appearances matter to voters. On the one hand, this is a fair point. It may also be tosh, given the extent to which Boris Johnson’s electoral appeal survived his considerable bulk and general dishevelment.
