It's beginning to look a lot like Labour fears scrutiny

Robert Conquest, the great historian of Stalinism, had it right.

- JOHN RENTOUL

He said that “the simplest way to explain the behaviour of any bureaucratic organisation is to assume that it is controlled by a cabal of its enemies”. It is the only way to explain why the Labour government has declared war on Westminster journalists and is postponing local elections for millions of voters. It would appear that an agent of the cabal has whispered in Keir Starmer's ear that the best way to deal with negative media coverage is not to talk to journalists and that the best way to avoid losing elections is not to hold them. Splendid, the prime minister seems to have responded: the necessary measures should be put in place at once.

Thus Tim Allan, the No 10 director of communications, wrote to us lobby journalists on Thursday. I know Allan as the immensely able adviser to Tony Blair in the early days, before Allan left to make money, thinking Blair a bit too left-wing.

“I am writing to inform you of some changes we are introducing to the lobby system next year,” Allan wrote. The “lobby” refers to accredited journalists who have access to the Palace of Westminster, and their collective noun is derived from the special access they are allowed to the Members’ Lobby outside the Commons chamber.