And on July 1st Sir Keir Starmer was humiliated by a huge rebellion, as Labour MPs gutted a bill to cut sickness and disability benefits. In Parliament the next day his chancellor wept and yields on Britain’s debt soared.

As Sir Keir Starmer approached the first anniversary of his general election victory, the indelible image this week was of a prime minister failing to fully back his chancellor Rachel Reeves, tears rolling down her cheeks,