Not so long ago whilst browsing along the aisles of my local Lidl’s (other supermarkets are available) I became alarmed at a very heated and animated discussion that was happening in my vicinity amongst the assembled fruit & veg shelves. An elderly couple (well, a bit more elderly than myself) were loudly discussing the merits (or otherwise) of our current Prime Minister. “See that ******* Keir Starmer, he’s an absolute ********* of a man!”.

To say that the language expressed was far riper than the gleaming tomatoes on display, is an understatement. I’m not exactly sure as to why the state of UK politics was being hotly debated that day amidst the rows of stacked groceries, but for one brief moment, the interior of a local Leith supermarket had replaced PMQ’s.

Ever since Sir Keir Starmer won the UK election in 2024, he has quickly (and with no great effort) managed to rile up much of the population; while causing more self-inflicted wounds than a division of Japanese soldiers during the battle of Okinawa!

Then there are the semi-comical names thrust in his direction: Two Tier Keir, Never Here Keir, Free Gear Keir, Let’s Jeer Keir etc. With all the generous “freebies” that were thrown his way, perhaps he momentarily mistook the interior of 10 Downing street for Santa’s Grotto?

Not forgetting that he has recently become the obvious target for a number of rude, unsubtle and unflattering songs sung in his “honour” from English football supporters.

Which could be a bit embarrassing for him – especially if he happens to be sitting in the stand at the time!

Is this an example of our soccer loving neighbours from south of the border attempting to relay to our “dear leader” a strong message that he has – “lost the dressing room”, “about to be substituted”, “on the transfer list”, or finally that “the game’s up”? Who knows?

I’m unsure if that practice of communal sing-along, has managed to infiltrate our terraces north of the border as yet...but give it time.

I suppose it makes a refreshing change from hurling abuse at the match officials, or your team’s head coach!

Sir Keir once remarked that he doesn’t have a favourite book...which I suppose tells you a lot. So I very much doubt that he has ever been a student of classical literature. A pity, as going by a couple of occasions in which he has been ushered into the orange glowing presence of President Donald Trump, he begins to project an uncanny resemblance to the Charles Dickens character. The ever so ‘umble’ Uriah Heep…

At one shared press conference with Trump, Starmer looked like a man nervously sitting in a dentist’s waiting room, prior to undergoing extensive root canal treatment. All throughout that meeting, he looked far from relaxed, paralysed and almost hesitatingly petrified to say anything, while Trump just waffled on, as only he can. At one point, I was left confused as to whether our PM was impersonating a nodding dog, or a shop window mannequin; as if he was undergoing his own nightmarish “out of body experience”.

According to the polls, Sir Keir is presently the most unpopular PM in recent political history. From what I can gather, he appears to be even more politically unpalatable than a certain Maggie Thatcher...which is some achievement considering that he’s only been in power for less than two years.

Looking back, so many past Prime Ministers have during their tenure, all had their troubles to seek – whether of their own making or not. Yet this current PM has seemingly surpassed countless others as indecision, controversy, catastrophe, and shambolic judgement follows him around like a faithful old hound dog – or a pungent smell!

I always wondered if he had managed to smash up two mirrors before he entered 10 Downing Street, as the curse of unending bad luck has shadowed him from virtually day one. Someone once said “Be careful what you wish for”, as Starmer’s quest for ambitious political power has certainly not quite turned out the way he originally envisaged it would.

At this moment in time, Sir Keir’s current position is shaky to say the least, but he has managed to weather the storm...whether he can steady the ship is still open to question?

I fear, at this moment, that a distinctive sound is currently echoing down the corridors of power - that of long knives being sharpened.

And it’s not for Larry the Cat!