As Europe turns to the right and a Trump return looms over the White House, Britain bucks the trend by appearing to be heading for a Labour government.
Also: Another woeful week for the SNP as its health minister refuses to resign over £11k roaming fee and Yousaf defies calls for an ethics inquiry into allegations he misled the Scottish Parliament.
The elements that came together to see a Conservative elected Mayor in 2008 – a national mood turning against Labour, a near-celebrity candidate in the as-yet-untarnished form of Boris Johnson, and a radical and increasingly unpopular incumbent – are not currently at hand.
Monday’s speech and today’s announcement show them choosing their ground for the next election. And since Hunt may find no money for further tax cuts next spring, the option of a May general election is opening up.
The Chancellor, who was watched by his wife and children, indicated that he will take no risks.
What communities need from their police forces would be out in favour of top-down targets and threats of further action from the centre if chiefs don’t perform to the Labour mandate.
He says Labour are greatly underplaying the difficulty of passing any substantial reform, and that there will be a “bloody battle” to get anything done.
A frontbench mutiny such as this is extraordinary for a party on the cusp of power. Yet the Government keeps managing to keep its own crises front and centre.
Phillips, Khan, Qureshi and Barker quit the frontbench. Hopkins, Owen, Shah, and Slaughter were sacked after the vote. Foy and Carden have also left the frontbench.
The issue of immigration is now fully back at the centre of our national life and will exert a profound influence on the outcome of the rapidly approaching general election next year.
There is also a moral point: if someone works, they should be the main beneficiary of their labour, rather than being forced to give most of their extra earnings to the Government.
The Labour leader says Britain needs a government “committed to the national interest, not desperately trying to save their own skin”.
It is essential that the US, in particular, keeps alight the flame of a two-state solution as and when this, the only solution, could have stronger support.
At least 13 members of his front bench are in open revolt. As I write, that’s sustainable. As matters develop, it may not be.
Sir Keir’s choice is between not sacking front bench dissenters, so inviting claims of weakness, and doing so – thus provoking accusations of over-reacting.