Labour MPs really, really, really want you to know that Keir Starmer is 'forensic'

Newly minted Labour leader Keir Starmer made his very first appearance for Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons yesterday.

It was unusual in several ways: firstly because over 120 MPs were appearing via virtual video link for the first time ever, thanks to Covid-19 social distancing advice.

Secondly because Dominic Raab was standing in for Boris Johnson and when one party leader delegates the role to a deputy, the other usually follows suit.

But as this would be Starmer’s debut as leader of Labour in the chamber and the first PMQs session called since lockdown started, he seemed not to want to miss the opportunity to grill the government.

Overall, the impression seems to be that he did well, particularly at skewering Dominic Raab on the question of care home worker fatalities.

And Starmer was certainly praised heavily by Labour MPs and political commentators – particularly some people who weren't always as keen on Jeremy Corbyn's leadership.

In the midst of the breathless praise directed at Starmer’s PMQs performance, one word stood out for its repeated usage above all others.

Forensic.

You see, Labour MPs really, really, really want you to know that Keir Starmer is forensic.

Brand new justice secretary David Lammy said it.

Fellow MP Peter Kyle plumped for it too.

So did Toby Perkins.

And Nick Thomas-Symonds.

Along with other Labour MPs Lucy Powell, Carolyn Harris, Stephen Doughty, Bridget Phillipson,Jo Stevens, Jonathan Ashworth, this message was repeated again and again.

In fact “forensic” was employed so much by MPs and political analysts, that people started to notice and became a little bit suspicious about it.

Some jokingly suggested there might have been some discussion between these MPs, given the striking similarities.

Others asked why it was suddenly the word of the day.

It quickly became a mini-meme.

And a meta-meme.

Maybe Starmer is just thatforensic...

Who knows?