Why Is Keir Starmer So Terrified of The Daily Mail’s Bark?

Keir Starmer, the Labour leader with a forensic mind and a former prosecutor’s knack for precision, seems strangely preoccupied with the opinions of a newspaper whose influence, while loud, is not what it once was. The Daily Mail, long the lodestar of Brexit-blind bluster, remains a lightning rod for some politicians’ anxieties. But as Starmer inches toward a more European-friendly stance, the real question isn’t what The Daily Mail might say, but why he appears so rattled by the prospect of its reaction.

Because let’s be honest: the paper’s editorial team has never been shy about labeling Labour leaders as threats to the nation. From Attlee to Corbyn, the ink-stained wailers have had a field day. What’s peculiar now is Starmer’s seeming hesitancy to chart a clear course that could reshape Labour’s European identity, even as public sentiment on Brexit starts to unravel.

The Daily Mail’s Big Stick

Now, let’s not downplay The Daily Mail. It wields significant clout among certain demographics—older voters, stalwart Leavers, and suburban warriors who believe that an inch of European alignment means the return of bulb bans and bendy bananas. But in an age where social media and alternative news sources dominate, Starmer’s reverence for its wrath feels like clinging to a relic of the past.

The paper thrives on simple narratives: Europe bad, Britain great, and anyone seeking rapprochement with Brussels is a saboteur of Brexit’s holy grail. But here’s the rub: these narratives, while loud, are increasingly divorced from the lived reality of Britain post-2016.

Labour’s Awkward Dance with Europe

Labour has always had a strained relationship with Europe. In the referendum years, it vacillated between Remain sympathies and Leave pandering, ending up alienating both camps. Starmer himself, as the architect of the second referendum push, bore the brunt of Leave-voter ire, branded as an avatar of “elite” Remainism.

Fast forward to today, and Starmer’s tentative steps toward Europe seem less like bold strategy and more like a man testing the ice with one toe. The customs union? Free movement? These policies remain whispers in the background rather than clarion calls of leadership. And why? Because the specter of backlash—from the Mail and its ideological ilk—continues to haunt him.

Why the Fear Is Misplaced

The irony here is delicious: Starmer is fretting over an outlet whose readership skews toward a demographic Labour isn’t likely to win over en masse. But more importantly, public sentiment is shifting. Poll after poll shows a growing frustration with Brexit’s unfulfilled promises. The nation that once voted to “take back control” now watches control slipping further away in the form of trade chaos, worker shortages, and diminished global influence.

Starmer has every reason to embrace these shifts and show courage, but to do so, he must break free from the shadow of the tabloid press.

What Starmer Should Do

Speak to Reality, Not Rhetoric

The fallout from Brexit isn’t a figment of The Guardian’s imagination—it’s felt in businesses struggling to trade, in hospitals missing EU nurses, and in universities losing out on collaborations. Starmer needs to articulate how closer ties with Europe—be it through a customs union or restoring elements of free movement—can address these crises head-on.

Take the Initiative

Waiting for The Daily Mail to pounce is a defensive strategy destined to fail. Starmer must go on the offensive, framing European collaboration as a solution to Britain’s pressing challenges. This is not about undoing Brexit but about mitigating its harms.

Engage the Electorate Directly

Rather than fearing The Mail’s headlines, Labour should focus on winning the argument with voters and businesses alike. This means developing a robust communication strategy that frames pro-European policies as pragmatic steps toward national prosperity, not ideological posturing. People need to hear why a customs union means smoother trade, why free movement fills vacancies in struggling industries, and why collaboration strengthens Britain’s global position.

Call Out the Myths

Starmer has the intellect to dismantle the tired tropes that papers like The Mail rely on. He should name the elephant in the room: Brexit, as sold to the public, is failing. By addressing this failure with clarity and solutions, he can sideline the noise and focus the debate on what really matters.

Stop Looking Over His Shoulder

Leaders lead. Starmer’s fixation on avoiding criticism from certain media outlets risks making him seem timid, which is precisely the trait his opponents want to exploit. A confident, unapologetic push for policies that serve the national interest will ultimately resonate more than skirting around the edges to avoid bad press.

The Bigger Picture

Labour has an opportunity to reclaim its internationalist identity—one built on cooperation, fairness, and ambition. But to seize this moment, it needs boldness, not dithering. The fear of The Daily Mail should be left to the Tories, who’ve long treated the paper like a party member with veto power. Starmer should focus instead on the Britain that exists beyond the headlines—a nation increasingly hungry for solutions, not slogans.

Conclusion

The British public deserves a leader who isn’t afraid of the noise, who understands that the road to national renewal requires facing hard truths. Keir Starmer can be that leader if he stops treating The Daily Mail as a monster under the bed and starts treating the electorate as grown-ups capable of grappling with complex realities.

When the facts are on your side, all you need is the courage to speak them.