𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Back in 2010 a Labour Minister left an infamous note to his Tory successor. It read: “I am afraid there is no money left.”

Sixteen years later and Labour has incriminated itself once again with another embarrassing confession. In messages to the disgraced Peter Mandelson, Pat McFadden – the man in charge of work and pensions – said that every meeting he has with Labour MPs is about “who we can tax in order to pay benefits to others.” It is now indisputable that Labour are the party of shirkers, not workers.

This latest embarrassment shows why this Labour leadership contest is a pointless vanity contest.

Yes, we all know Keir Starmer is about as useless as a chocolate teapot. He’s a weak leader that points whichever way the wind is blowing.

But the problem with this sorry excuse of a Government goes well beyond him.

Sir Keir tried to make small welfare savings last year. They were estimated at £3.5bn – not enough to stop the huge overall increase we are seeing.

But Keir’s MPs rebelled in huge numbers at this minor change and humiliated him. As a result, the Government has had to put taxes up to pay for it.

It doesn’t really matter which personality takes over in Downing Street. The problem that can’t be fixed is the Labour Party.

The only way to end this disastrous cycle of more benefits and higher taxes is for a general election to be called and a Reform Government to fix this mess.

We will cut waste by making sure benefit claimants can’t get payouts without seeing a professional face to face. We will end the ridiculous situation where people with mild mental health conditions are being signed off work. And we will reinstate the two child benefit cap that Keir Starmer admitted was unaffordable.

With that spare money we will be able to look after the grafters, and those in old age. Like ending income tax on overtime and keeping the pensions triple lock. Finally, a party on your side.