It has been a difficult few weeks for Sir Keir Starmer and his government, with speculation about a leadership challenge followed by a chaotic run-up to the Budget, a period of damaging leaks and U-turns. Earlier this week, the Times newspaper said that it had spoken to three Scottish Labour MPs who want to see the prime minister ousted before elections to the Scottish Parliament in May. In anonymous comments, the MPs reportedly said they fear Labour will be "slaughtered" in those elections, in part thanks to the prime minister's unpopularity.
The man who is both there and not there. Not invited on to the main stage, but the star attraction at countless fringe events. The man no cabinet minister dares mention by name, yet who is seemingly buried deep in everyone's subconscious. Living rent free in the heads of Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves. The man who is making a leadership bid and not making a leadership bid.
