The National:

KEIR Starmer HAS kissed a Tory but the burning question remains – did he like it?

Yes, the Labour leader admitted he has tasted the forbidden fruit, but he probably won’t thank The Times for plastering it all over the front cover of their magazine.

Their cover simply read: "Yes, I've kissed a Tory.

"Are you looking at our next prime minister? Keir Starmer thinks so."

In our darkest moments, even the most fervent Tory opponent may have thought about it, considered it or maybe even have had to stop themselves doing it – but to actually admit it may be worse than the crime itself.

Perhaps it’s a sign of the times.

Labour is now almost indistinguishable from the Conservatives. Whether it be their pro-Brexit stance or their sycophantic signalling to hard-line Unionists over refusing to work with the SNP, the Jouker can hardly tell the difference.

So perhaps it’s more disappointment than shock that Starmer would be on a front cover trying to show his commonality with a party so deeply embedded in the caustic policies of austerity, Brexit and the inhumane treatment of asylum seekers.

READ MORE: Chancellor Jeremy Hunt admits Brexit is barrier to growth

When the Tories inevitably give way for Starmer’s party in a couple of years’ time, it will likely just be more of the same.

Although, we might be keeping an eagle eye out for lipstick on the next PM’s shirt collar.