I have written for @timesredbox this morning about why attacking Starmer's past career is probably a mistake.

Three main reasons, from our new polling... https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/comment/why-attacking-starmer-s-legal-past-might-not-be-the-best-strategy-9506798dm
Keir Starmer’s past as a lawyer is not a weak point

After struggling against Sir Keir Starmer in prime minister’s questions, Boris Johnson has tried a new attack line in recent weeks. He wants to remind the public of the Labour leader’s previous career

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/comment/why-attacking-starmer-s-legal-past-might-not-be-the-best-strategy-9506798dm
1) Twice as many think Lawyers make good (44%) rather than bad (22%) political leaders. This puts them about on par with teachers and business leaders. It puts them miles ahead of, and I am just plucking this out of the air here, ex-journalists.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/comment/why-attacking-starmer-s-legal-past-might-not-be-the-best-strategy-9506798dm
2) The main characteristics associated with lawyers are exactly what the Labour party needs. The top words are "competent", "decisive", and "strong".
3) Starmer's lawyerly persona seems to have been positively received:
> Twice as many think he has done well (42%) than badly (22%) in responding to CV
> People tend to think he has got the balance about right between opposing/supporting the government

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/comment/why-attacking-starmer-s-legal-past-might-not-be-the-best-strategy-9506798dm
None of this is to say that past careers are usually an important part of how people form views of political leaders.

But it is an odd thing for an ex-journalist to try and make into a prominent issue when he is up against an ex-lawyer. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/comment/why-attacking-starmer-s-legal-past-might-not-be-the-best-strategy-9506798dm
Keir Starmer’s past as a lawyer is not a weak point

After struggling against Sir Keir Starmer in prime minister’s questions, Boris Johnson has tried a new attack line in recent weeks. He wants to remind the public of the Labour leader’s previous career

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/comment/why-attacking-starmer-s-legal-past-might-not-be-the-best-strategy-9506798dm
You can follow @chriscurtis94.
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