Exclusive: Sir Keir Starmer launching his own televised press briefings

Christopher Hope
·3 min read
FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF IMAGES - Image numbers 1064755202, 1170487933 - GRADIENT ADDED) In this composite image a comparison has been made between the Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the leader of the opposition and Labour Leader Keir Starmer. ***LEFT IMAGE*** BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND - NOVEMBER 24: Conservative party MP Boris Johnson delivers his speech during the Democratic Unionist Party annual conference at the Crown Plaza Hotel on November 24, 2018 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The DUP strongly oppose the propsed Brexit deal brokered between the UK government and the EU. The DUP currently props up the Conservative UK government following the last general election. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 23: Keir Starmer, Shadow Secretary of State addresses delegates on the third day of the Labour Party conference on September 23, 2019 in Brighton, England. Labour Conference will debate and vote on their Brexit position this afternoon pitting Jeremy Corbyn's neutral stance against the party membership's wish to Remain in the UK. Labour Conference returns to Brighton this year against a backdrop of Brexit Chaos. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images) - Leon Neal/Getty Images

Sir Keir Starmer is to go head-to-head with Number 10 in a battle for the airwaves by launching his own televised press conference next month, the Telegraph can disclose.

The Labour leader is to begin giving monthly televised press conferences in a bid to counter the expected start of daily press briefings by Mr Johnson's new spokesman in 10 Downing Street.

The televised question and answer sessions are likely to take place at Labour's headquarters, or at a nearby hotel and will be open to all journalists, Covid-19 rules allowing.

The press conferences are part of a wider strategy to get Sir Keir out there and build a public profile, Labour insiders said.

His advisors also want him to be seen fielding difficult questions from the Press.

A source close to the leader said: "Unlike the Prime Minister, Keir doesn't duck the difficult questions or hide from the press. That's why we're up for doing regular press conferences."

Mr Johnson's team are currently sifting through applications for the job of £100,000-a-year spokesman who will become the face of the Government in regular televised press briefings.

Builders are currently working in the former Lobby room at 9 Downing Street to transform it into a "press conference centre".

A senior Number 10 source said that there was no date yet for the start of the briefings as it depended who Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, hires for the role.

A job advert posted online by the Conservative party in July asked a new spokesman to "communicate with the nation on behalf of the Prime Minister".

Number 10 decided to press ahead with the plans after noting the large audiences for the nightly government coronavirus press conferences at the height of the pandemic in the summer.