Thread by @IanDunt

Come on let's have this Starmer press conference, I want out of this shit.

Aren't we all mate, aren't we all.

Starmer is up now. You can follow here. labour.org.uk/keir-starmer-t…

Starmer rules out abstaining on the deal or voting against it. So he'll vote for the deal.

"I can say today that when this deal comes before parliament Labour will accept it and vote for it."

I know lots of people think this is a mistake. I really don't think it matters one way or the other. What matters is that Starmer finds his voice on this issue & makes it clear that the deal is terrible and can only be supported on the basis that it's better than no deal at all.

And on that measure, this is quite a good speech. "Let me be absolutely clear - and say directly to the government - up against no deal, we accept this deal, but the consequences of it are yours and yours alone."

We will hold you to account for it every second you are in power, for the promises you have made and the promises you break. No longer can you blame somebody else. Responsibility for this deal - lies squarely at the door of No.10."

Starmer answer to a question quite revealing. "We've now got a base upon which to build." In the text of the speech, he said: "It is something we will build on compared to the chaos of no deal."

That seems broadly the right approach to me and the right message - backing the deal, if you must, to avoid no-deal. Saying it is shit regardless. Holding the government to account for what follows from it.

Personally I think Starmer should also rule out any attempt to rejoin the EU in the next parliament if Labour wins the election. Just kill it as an issue. Rejoining would require a referendum and there'll be no appetite for that right now.

But commit to constructing a much closer relationship with the EU through one big agreement or a series of smaller ones, perfectly in line with what he said today.

Sticks in the throat of course, but there are no good options here. Pro-Europeans should be aiming at securing a referendum on getting back into the EU in 2030 - no earlier, or you just look like loons.

And on that timetable, regardless of a Labour victory in the next election, it can succeed.

This isn't Labour's fault. It's the Conservatives. Make them own it, and what comes next.

Right. Bugger this for a game of soldiers. Time for Christmas. I guess I'll come back and read that thing after Boxing day. Until then, they can all get to fuck.

Merry Christmas you cunts.