In the early hours of 13 December, after I had thanked all those who needed to be thanked at the count for administering the general election and those who helped my own campaign, I congratulated my Conservative opponent on his victory. I reminded him and those who were there what I always believed and still do: it is the first duty of government to defend its people and patriotism is not an evil. To hear Keir Starmer echo those sentiments at Prime Minister’s Questions when he said, “Under my leadership national security will always be the top priority for Labour,” I felt the sacrifice of so many of us on 12 December was being repaid. Combined with the cleansing of the wound of anti-Semitism, it was a moment the fetid air of the Corbyn era was shown the window. The party is indeed under new management.
In the new era, Labour’s management has been clear on the findings of the Intelligence and Security Committee’s (ISC) long-delayed report into Russia’s involvement in British affairs. Full and considered cross-party support is on the table to ensure our country’s security. Patriotism is once again part of the Labour lexicon.
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