An unofficial Lab-Lib Dem pact is a threat to Johnson

Keir Starmer needs the support of Ed Davey and the rejuvenated Liberal Democrats - and he will get it

- ANDREW GRICE

When Tony Blair won his landslide 25 years ago, Labour canvassers could barely believe the positive response they got on the doorsteps of affluent voters. “People with gravel drives were coming over to us,” one recalled.

In the run-up to Thursday's local elections, the same group of voters were cited by Conservative campaigners in the south of England. “The ones with gravel drives hate Partygate the most," one MP said. It seems that, unable to vote for Boris Johnson, many stayed at home or switched their allegiance.

Unfortunately for Keir Starmer, this was not a 1997 moment.

Disenchanted Tories did not flock in droves to Labour - despite Partygate, the cost of living crisis and even the prospect of a recession. "There is not the same buzz and momentum we had in 1995 or 1996," one Starmer ally admitted to me.

Although the Tories' belief that Starmer can't win an election will be reinforced by Thursday's results, all is not lost for the Labour leader. It is often said that he needs the same 10 per cent swing Blair secured in 1997 to become prime minister. But he doesn't. He can still oust the Tories in 2024 on a much smaller swing, and head a minority government, since Johnson's party would almost certainly have no partners in a hung parliament.

The bad news for Starmer is that he will need the tacit support of the rejuvenated Liberal Democrats to get into Downing Street. The good news for him is that he will get it.