Politics is often about showing that a party has changed and is ready to govern: that is why Sir Keir Starmer was in Estonia today meeting British troops at a Nato base just 100 miles from the border with Russia.
Starmer was last at the base in March last year, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, and if anything the UK's relations with Russia are chillier than ever, matching the snow lying on the ground.
Since then the border with Russia has become harder than ever with Estonians now unable to cross the border in their cars to visit friends and family, as they used to in the old days.
Starmer granted an exclusive interview to me today for GB News to show British voters that he has changed his party since replacing Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader a little over four years ago.
You can read it here https://www.gbnews.com/politics/keir-starmer-nuclear-button-russia and watch the full version above.
Keir Starmer sat down with GB News Christopher Hope today
GB News
Starmer knows that the clock is ticking on the date for the next general election. If Rishi Sunak goes to the polls on the same day as the May local elections in England, polling day is just 19 weeks away.
That means that the official general election campaign will start in three months’ time.
No wonder Starmer told me that "the sooner that is called, the better. We're ready for it".
Labour has drawn up a scratch manifesto in case Sunak goes to the country before the expected moment next Autumn.
In the interview Starmer made clear that he could opt for a 'Rwanda-lite' plan - to process illegally arrived migrants - in an offshore facility, perhaps instead of housing them in hotels.
And he did not rule out defending the UK by firing nuclear weapons in stark contrast to his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn.
Starmer also reflected on the changes his fiercely private family are due to face if he becomes Prime Minister.
I still expect Sunak to opt for an election in the Autumn. But better than expected inflation figures this week, and the National Insurance tax cut on Jan 6, means that May cannot be ruled out.
It is time to brace yourselves: Starmer's interview with GB News has fired the starting gun on the run-in to the 2024 general election.
