PMQs: Johnson and Starmer clash over "cronyism" - BBC News
Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer clashed over accusations of government "sleaze and cronyism"
At this week's PMQs Sir Keir Starmer was attempting to generalise from the specific.

While the PM’s texts are now under scrutiny, Labour want to create the impression that cronyism is endemic, citing the wider issue of the awarding of government contracts during the pandemic.

But his other aim was to address and enhance a feeling the party is picking up amongst ‘red wall’ voters.

And that is, that they are not getting a fair crack of the whip.

So that’s why so much of PMQs was devoted to drawing comparisons between the treatment of nurses, steel workers, the self-employed and wealthy business people.

The SNP’s Ian Blackford went on a similar tack.

Boris Johnson is hoping that voters will understand that sometimes people in leadership roles may have to act unconventionally in a crisis.

And he cited the former Labour leader Tony Blair – who expressed understanding of the PM’s position – to attack the current Labour leader.

This was presumably anticipated by Sir Keir, as he played the former leader trump card, reminding MPs that the activities of David Cameron had begun the focus on the contacts between business and government.