The benefits of scrapping Shadow Cabinet elections are endless, for Miliband at least. The public look set to be deprived of the bi-yearly bun-fight that takes patronage out of the hands of the leader. Miliband has found himself forced to fill his shadow cabinet with his brother’s supporters and just six of his own backers. He also gets to pretend he isn’t a weak leader for a whole news cycle.

The plans will have to be backed by the party, and it could all be hugely embarrassing if they thumb their noses at him, but it comes with vital Blairite support. If the changes do pass, will Miliband implement last summer’s promise, in support of Harriet Harman, to make half his cabinet women?