IT usually takes prime ministers a few years to lose their political antennae. In Keir Starmer's case, it took only days. Removing the winter fuel payment from all but the poorest pensioners turned out to be a spectacular own goal, which has already led many people wonder whether the Labour leader will even make it to the next election.
He suffered the indignity, on Wednesday, of losing a Labour conference vote, as members called for the reinstatement of the allowance. This was from the same delegation who, only hours beforehand, had received his conference speech in apparent and no doubt well-choreographed - raptures.
Starmer will ignore the result. It was a vote at a Labour conference, not in the Commons.
But it's a warning sign that things are already beginning to go seriously wrong inside this government.
Not only was the original decision ill-advised, but Starmer and his Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, have made things far worse for themselves by trying to make out the bond markets would have suffered a Liz Truss-style meltdown had they not announced the restriction of the winter fuel payment.
Esta historia es de la edición September 27, 2024 de Daily Express.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición September 27, 2024 de Daily Express.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
att ANGRY STEVE LAYS DOWN THE LAW
England coach not a fan of 'fundamental changes'
Raducanu now fit and firing for a new start
EMMA OUT TO SHOW INJURIES ARE THING OF PAST
Israel set to deliver Lebanon peace deal 'as a gift to Trump'
ISRAEL plans to secure a rapid ceasefire in Lebanon as a \"gift\" to incoming US President Donald Trump, officials said last night.
Families finally reunited with Korean War heroes
FAMILIES who did not know the last resting places of British troops killed in the Korean War have finally grieved at their graves 73 years on.
Lowe my life to the King and Joe Biden
A CYCLIST who suffered a cardiac arrest while out riding with friends has told how his life was saved - by Joe Biden.
wife Heir and vicar suspended by Church over links to abuser
A VICAR and her mustard heir husband have been asked to halt church activities after they were named in the abuse report that led to the Archbishop of Canterbury's resignation.
Annabel: I still sleep with Mel's scarf
ANNABEL Croft has said she sleeps with her late husband's scarf every night and still dresses to impress him.
Sadiq Khan attacked over 'sexist, racist' Trump slur
LONDON'S mayor has reignited Labour's war of words with Donald Trump by calling his policies \"sexist, racist and homophobic\".
Chancellor's idea will not make most pensions any safer
‘Were Reeves brave, she'd close defined benefit pension schemes’
King's food poverty push on working 76th birthday
KING Charles treated his 76th birthday like any other day as he highlighted the work of his food charity yesterday.