Boris Johnson won the biggest Tory majority in a generation three years ago not just because of Brexit, but because of his boisterous - and at times anarchic- approach to British politics and the establishment. And, despite his colossal defeat, even Jeremy Corbyn brought thousands out onto the streets. Both leaders inspired voters, invoked emotions - for better or worse. People knew who they were.
But Keir Starmer appears to be struggling when it comes to these key elements of personality and policy. When I was reporting in Bury on the eve of the local elections last month, there were two things that came up frequently on the doorstep. The first was that voters simply didn’t know who Starmer was. And, a close second, voters had no clue what he believed. “At least you knew what Corbyn stood for,” said one anti-Corbyn voter. This is a feeling not just limited to Bury, but reflected across the country.
