Once the truth is optional you can justify anything

Sir Keir has been Prime Minister for a year. I wonder if the date was circled on a calendar in his kitchen. July 5th 2025 - “Give big speech to adoring crowd about our achievements.”

- Jamie Driscoll

I’m pretty sure it didn’t have a handwritten note saying, “humiliating climbdown” I wonder if he even expects to be there next year.

They have done some things. Though not enough for anyone to notice. Pollsters More in Common asked what the government's greatest achievement was. The overwhelming verdict: nothing. Even Labour’s own comms is a bit sketchy. They haven't built 1.5 million homes, that’s still an aspiration. GB Energy’s own CEO admitted they will not lower energy bills.

They had a total wipeout in Durham. They've lost control of Newcastle and South Tyneside without any elections. Long-serving Labour councillors are resigning.

They have two basic problems. First, an ambivalence to truth.

No sooner had they taken office than Freebiegate broke: £5,000 dresses for Mrs Starmer; £14,000 birthday party Bridget Phillipson; £107,145 worth of gifts for Sir Keir, despite being a millionaire; Taylor Swift tickets; exec boxes at football; donors given government jobs.

Labour spin doctors were incensed their guys got the tabloid treatment, when the Tories had been at least as bad. That's the problem in a nutshell. They have no genuine commitment to truth.