Tories urge Sir Keir to put aside divisions for crisis

THE CONSERVATIVES have urged Keir Starmer to “put aside the divisiveness and infighting” at the top of the Labour party at this time of national crisis.

Over the weekend, former leader Jeremy Corbyn also congratulated Sir Keir and his new deputy Angela Rayner, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke on the phone with the new Leader of the Opposition. In a tweet, Mr Corbyn said: “Being Labour Party leader is a great honour and responsibility. I look forward to working with Keir and Angela to elect the next Labour government and transform our country.”

Mr Johnson tweeted: “I have just spoken to @Keir_Starmer & congratulated him on becoming Labour leader. We agreed on the importance of all party leaders continuing to work constructively together through this national emergency. I have invited him and other opposition leaders to a briefing next week.”

Second-placed Rebecca LongBailey said: “I want to pay tribute to Keir and to Lisa and their respective teams, who each led fantastic campaigns. Keir Starmer will be a brilliant prime minister and I can’t wait to see him in Number 10.”

Left-wing campaign group Momentum, which had backed Rebecca Long-Bailey, said it would “hold Keir to account and make sure he keeps his promises”.

Conservative Party co-chair Amanda Milling said: “The coronavirus is the biggest threat this country has faced in decades, so I call on Keir Starmer to put aside the divisiveness and infighting that has plagued the top of the Labour Party for the last five years, and work with the Government to support the national effort.”