The botched winter fuel U-turn suggests a government driven by tactics rather than values

The lady is, it seems, for turning: one of Rachel Reeves's first decisions as chancellor was to strip the winter fuel allowance from the vast majority of pensioners.

- Heather Stewart

The lady is, it seems, for turning: one of Rachel Reeves's first decisions as chancellor was to strip the winter fuel allowance from the vast majority of pensioners. Keir Starmer now says more of them should be eligible. Pressure to shift had become intense after local elections, where Labour councillors swept out of power by Reform cited voter concern over winter fuel. But last week's botched half U-turn leaves Labour in an embarrassing political mess and raises fresh questions about its purpose in power.

Dropping an unpopular policy is not problematic in itself. But U-turns are best carried out swiftly and comprehensively. Here, by contrast, Labour have left themselves unable to say how many of the 10 million people who lost out on the payment will get it back. Crucially, they are also unable to say how it will be paid for - which is problematic, given that Reeves painted the decision at the time as essential to repairing the public finances.