Labour fell SO far behind in the last few years, when Starmer says it's a 'mountain to climb' - it's like crossing the Himalayas without oxygen - but the party is HUGE, and Corbyn created a massive membership base

Remember too in Dec, many voters we talked to expressed no particular affection for Johnson or the Tories, but they were unimpressed with Labour on Brexit and simply couldn't imagine Corbyn on the steps of Downing Street - nothing is inevitable about the 2024 election

But Starmer's first steps in these first few weeks will matter enormously - loads more on @BBCNews today so will end this rather unwieldy thread here, but Starmer's first big interview as leader is tomorrow on @BBCPolitics with @AndrewMarr9