𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

There was a theory in Westminster that Keir Starmer benefitted from mystical assistance for his first few years, in the form of a Genie. For since becoming Labour leader, his rivals had been beset with trouble, scandal and infighting, aiding him immensely. I am beginning to suspect that Genie, perhaps squeezed by cost-of-living pressures in London, has rented a cheaper lamp in Manchester.

Because Andy Burnham has been having a wonderful summer. Whilst the bloodlust of his own rebellious MPs has been satiated by the ousting of Sir Keir, his rivals are set upon one another. This undignified infighting between the seemingly irreconcilable factions on the right is fast becoming a source of despair.

Neither has the electoral strength to command a majority without the support, or routing, of the other.

And if neither will quit the field – which they see no reason to do – a fight is not in their interest.

For years it was said the greatest folly of the left was that they could never agree.

Variations of the jibe ‘three left wing factions meet for lunch and five walk out’ have been around for a long time – the same may be true for the right.

Now we have Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage at each other’s throats over Joshua Bonehill-Paine being allowed to stand for a local council seat – from which he has now withdrawn.

Mrs Badenoch may have had the right of it when she suggested a man punished can be a man redeemed.

Yet she rapidly lost the high ground when bra​nding those who disagreed as ‘woke’ – a term which increasingly means little.

Throughout all this squabbling, the threat posed by a left-wing government that has been coy with its plans for this country looms large.

‘Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake,’ would be sage advice for Andy Burnham.

Whether provided by a Genie or someone more corporeal, it would appear our new PM is in for a great summer if his rivals cannot see the real enemy is on the left, not on the right.