On a serious front though do you think Starmer stands a chance of making Labour more centrist or will Momentum get their way and get somebody more hard left, as you say for the good of the country we need a good opposition

The problem is left wing policies are rather popular. Unfortunately policies don't drive that many voter decisions any more given the Culture Wars we are deep in the middle of.

They weren't popular in 2019

Talking of popularity, it seems that Starmer is now as popular as Bojo. and his popularity is growing.
Bojo is now starting to be found out and when there is finally a formal budget and we find out who will be squeezed the most, his popularity will fall still further.
Covid has allowed our leader to say what he like, promise the earth and all without any actual measure.
Thankfully he is starting to be exposed for the good time Charlie that he is. (I know that's a horrible thought).

Fuel shortages and price increases and the energy crisis, with the increased cap that will hit everyone by £129 minimum, the removal of the extra £20 universal credit, the effects of Brexit, and his own unhappy MP's are all circling him like vultures. Plus, the recent changes to NI and other tax changes have still to begin taking effect. Poor Boris.

I would think it’s the general popularity of any PM under the current circumstances rather than Boris, a right mess yet Starmer is only matching in popularity - not exactly nailing it is he

Labour should be ripping the Blues to bits at the moment, yet all you can see is in house fighting and the likes of super left Rayner looming to stab the leader in the back when the times right (or wrong)

The thing is though mid term Starmer should be romping ahead in the polls,and what effects of Brexit are we talking about

I agree, absolutely.

However, having been so far back in the polls, both Starmer and Labour have caught up and as mentioned, this is before that actual pain begins.
Most people, quite rightly have gone along with the restrictions and pain that covid has brought.
The Government, have had free reign to spend, spend, spend to try and help the situation.
However, with crippling national debt and plenty of "new" issues (energy prices, fuel shortages, driver shortages), they have to be seen to be making the right decisions.
Bojo, being a fair weather politician, hasn't been too decisive in taking action on any of the issues. Instead, he just hopes they will go away. Sadly, they wont.
He always comes out with his positive spin on every situation and suggests that the "best case scenario" will happen but, as we have seen time and time again, it rarely does happen.

Labour should have slaughtered the Tories over their handling of Brexit but, were to busy fighting their own battles and lacked any kind of coherent policies (and to a large extent still do) but, Bojo's endless wishful promises are being exposed.

Hopefully, Labour can finally get themselves together and provide some stronger opposition.

If they cant, the last 11 years in opposition will be a mere snapshot in time in the political wilderness

I actually found myself in the unusual position of feeling sorry for Starmer when he was trying to give his speech and getting constantly heckled by the loonies in his party. But then i remembered the whole 'cervix' thing and i thought nah. Labour needs rid of the race and gender politics imo, they're a concern for about 0.5% of the country, joe public will be far more interested in pretty much anything else, taxes, honesty, the future of the country we live in.
Just a thought though

Feel sorry for starmer , a decent man trying to undertake a mammoth and difficult job. Not helped by the extreme left wing of the party. Which Seem to spend more time bleating about Palestinian problems and transgender topics.

And posting bilge on the sin bin aswell