Keir Starmer knows not to waste a crisis. The loss of Angela Rayner has been a huge blow to his government. She was the most charismatic politician on the front bench of the Labour government. Her ability to go toe to toe with populist politicians was a huge asset, particularly as the relentless rise of Reform continues. And on the backbench she will still be one of the most charismatic politicians in the country.

Yet the waters close swiftly over former politicians as Keir Starmer’s ruthless reshuffle shows. There was an elegance in the moves that reflected deep thought about the shape of the cabinet that the Prime Minister wanted. This is the real reset moment, not the shakeup in the No. 10 staff. This is not a shift to the right as some have suggested – the soft left policies of rail n

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