Squirming Starmer defends junking his major pledges and blames ‘reality’ for U-turns on tuition fees and child benefits

SIR Keir Starmer has defended junking a series of previous pledges as the Tories ramped up their election attacks on his trustworthiness.

In a media round this morning, the Labour leader blamed “reality” for the host of u-turns committed in the past few years.

Several of the promises he made when running for party leader are now dead including scrapping both tuition fees and the two-child benefit cap.

Top Conservatives compared him to a "human jellyfish" as the gloves came off on day 2 of the campaign.

In key developments:

• Rishi Sunak said he was "disappointed" his smoking ban would not be made law before the election
• Proposed caps on ground rents were also ruled out as the final Bills were pushed through before the Commons shuts
• Sir Keir said Labour's tax whack on private schools would start "straight away"
• The Labour leader was dragged into a growing row over ducking TV election debates
• He also opened the door to a possible coalition deal with the Lib Dems
• He refused to say that veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott would be admitted back into the party in time for the election
• Jeremy Corbyn confirmed he would stand against Labour as an independent in his Islington seat
• "Bionic MP" Craig Mackinlay became the latest Tory to say they were standing down
• Energy Secretary Claire Coutinho said Labour won't keep the lights on

Pressed on whether he could resurrect his 2020 vow to axe the two-child benefit cap, Sir Keir said: “In an ideal world, of course. But we haven't got the resources to do it at the moment.

"What I will do, because child poverty is something I am absolutely set against, the last Labour government had an anti-child poverty strategy and we managed to do a huge amount of good stuff on child poverty.”

Last night his shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson refused to rule out raising university tuition fees. 

Such a move would likely be met with fury from students after Sir Keir previously vowed to abolish the sky-high sums. 

This morning Sir Keir said: “Looking at costing for tuition fees or abolishing them and looking at the money we need to put in the NHS, I’ve taken the decision we can’t do both. 

“I decided we’ve got to prioritise getting those waiting lists down. I’d rather make the choice now this side of election then say something now which I know in my heart of hearts is not deliverable the other side of the election.”

Sir Keir has been dogged by Tory attacks that he is a flip-flopper after shifting multiple positions since becoming leader four years ago.

Deputy chairman Jonathan Gullis today told the Sun: "Sir Keir nothing but a human jellyfish: completely spineless and will drift along wherever the tide takes him. You cannot trust him to stand by a word he says.

“Labour have no plan, and always take the easy way out. While the Conservatives have a clear plan, and will take bold actions to deliver a secure future for you and your family."

Conservative MPs regularly wield his list of 10 leadership pledges that has now been bent out of all recognition, including promises to hike income tax and give EU citizens the vote.

More recent tacks include his decision earlier this year to drop the planned £28billion of green spending.