Defective duopoly's driver of defections

A STENCH of decay emits from Westminster.

- Leo McKinstry

Our traditional, two-party duopoly now feels rotten to the core. The sense of breakdown is all too clear on the Labour benches. Under Sir Keir Starmer's shambolic leadership, they have combined spectacular mismanagement with ideological folly.

Their reckless tax-and-spend policies have left a huge black hole in the public finances and paralysis in the economy, just as their failures on immigration are causing real public anger. Sir Keir himself has been exposed as a man without courage, conviction, competence or a moral compass. In recent days, as the Downing Street machine grew increasingly dysfunctional, he has managed to lose his credibility, as well as ambassador to the US and his Deputy Prime Minister.

Yet the Conservatives have gained no ground. Despite some sharp performances from their front bench in the Commons over the departures of Angela Rayner and Peter Mandelson, they remain hopelessly trapped in the wilderness.