the imporant issue is winning the next election and the tories losing it, they might do this because of economic situation [hard to predict precisely]i think the most likely otcome is a lib lab coaltion, that might suit starmer ,because in my opinion he belongs in the liberal party,i agree that is better than a conservative government, but it still[ i speculate] does not produce what i want to see renationalisation of railways nationalisation of water companies. ecological encouragement for alternative energy.
if i had a choice of long furlough bailey or starmer,, i suppose long bailey, but i do accept what you have to say about both being poor candidates[charisma and image wise].i make my decision on the basis that both have faults but long bailey even in coalition would push for more of what i want from the labour party.
i think they both are about equal in lack of charisma and both will do a little better than Corbyn because of the lack of interference from the brexit parties.Possibly a woman might be better than a man? i am not sur.
Corbyn was imo defeated mainly because the pact between ukip the tories and brexit party. Starmers stength is debate, but i doubt if that alone is sufficient, he may be lucky and do better because he will not be up against an electoral pact.