Sir Keir Starmer Replaces Jeremy Corbyn As Leader Of Labour

This is how Bloomberg News summed up the story for American readers:

After a decade in the political wasteland, members of Britain’s main opposition Labour Party have chosen a moderate, un-flashy lawyer as their new leader. Their hope is that turning the page on the socialist radical Jeremy Corbyn, who was resoundingly rejected by voters last year, will see them re-take power.

Keir Starmer, 57, offers dry competence and seriousness after a turbulent five years under the firebrand Corbyn. At a time when the U.K. is grappling with the global coronavirus crisis and its own exit from the European Union, a steady hand could prove popular.

“Maybe being boringly competent is a magical thing-- because we haven’t got many boringly competent politicians at the moment, particularly in government,” said Steven Fielding, a professor at Nottingham University and historian of the Labour party. “People just flock to him like a safety raft from a sinking ship.”

On Saturday he won 275,780 votes (56.2%) in a three-way race and was elected party leader (over 2 women candidates). He represents a London district (Holborn and St Pancras), served in the shadow cabinet as the Brexit spokesman and was caught on tape opposing Corbyn as party leader. He's anti-Brexit and although widely known as a moderate, claims to be a socialist. He isn't an inspiration leader.

And if Boris Johnson passes away from his COVID-19 infection, the U.K. will need an inspirational leader. Johnson, who tested positive and has been getting worse in home quarantine, was admitted to the hospital today. In a extremely rare TV address, not necessarily in regard to Johnson's condition, Queen Elizabeth urged Brits to stay strong, united and resolute: "While we have faced challenges before, this one is different. This time we join with all nations across the globe in a common endeavour, using the great advances of science and our instinctive compassion to heal."