A rather odd letter which at first sight appears to be more about public messaging than substance. There are cross-party briefs constantly in Parliament, so an invite to one is scarcely working together in national emergency. And cross-party MPs are already working together.
Also obviously timing, this being the day the new Labour leader is announced. Simply because of the timing the motives behind the letter have to be seriously questioned. Sorry. This is not a politically neutral move.
A letter congratulating the new Labour leader and inviting them to a briefing given the national crisis would have seemed rather more neutral than suddenly declaring the need for national cooperation an hour before that new leader is announced. Games before coronavirus again.
Also to note the new Labour leader's acceptance speech can't mention the Johnson offer as they're known to have been pre-recorded. At least if he didn't already know Starmer knows now that coronavirus won't stop Johnson playing politics. Early test - how he plays back.
