What PM should be flagging is policies

FIGHTING on two fronts, Keir Starmer wrapping himself in the Union Flag to combat both Nigel Farage and Andy Burnham is refusing to go quietly.

- KEVIN MAGUIRE

Branding Farage and Reforms vile mass deportation plan of people working and living legally in Britain as racist was cheered by ministers.

They had become frustrated that Starmer too often bit his tongue in the past to avoid confronting Farage and delivered that awful, regretted “[sland of Strangers” speech.

Championing what my Mirror campaigning colleague Ros Wynne-Jones inspiringly calls a “nation of neighbours” is a fundamental battle of values.

It is worrying that the PM needed to be prodded, pushed and to some extent shamed by a backlash into speaking out loudly and clearly but he is undeniably in a better position, morally as well as politically.