Cracks showing in Starmer's bond to closest Labour ally

In the run-up to each of Labour’s three historic post-war election triumphs, in 1945, 1964 and 1997, the party exuded a sense of bold confidence.

- Leo McKinstry

But the mood is very different this time. Despite a huge lead of more than 20 points in the polls, a spirit of caution and defensiveness prevails in Labour’s ranks, as shown in the failure of sir Keir starmer to articulate a convincing vision for Britain.

Even one of their few distinctive policies, to spend £28billion a year on the development of green energy, has now been dumped, after months of internal debate and dithering. The move was driven by fears about the expensive borrowing it would require due to rising interest rates, but the result is that Labour’s policy cupboard is now more threadbare than ever.

Party strategists tried to put a positive gloss on it, claiming not only that one of the Tories’ prime targets for attack was now gone but also that it proved how financially prudent Labour have become under starmer.

Nevertheless, the climbdown was a humiliating one, which revealed both a lack of conviction and timidity under fire. There has been widespread dismay across much of the party, reflected in the words of senior MP Barry Gardiner, who called the step “economically illiterate, environmentally irresponsible and politically naïve”.