This barbed briefing from a Labour voice in Andrew Pierce’s read today caught Guido’s eye:

Another senior figure told me: ‘If it goes wrong for Starmer, he will find out how ruthless McSweeney is. Just as Boris found with [ex-adviser] Dominic Cummings.’

McSweeney – or ‘McIavelli’ as he has been christened by the Labour high command – takes the helm in Downing Street this week titled ‘Head of Political Strategy’, reporting directly to Starmer. It appears some are content to deliver an account of his influence with just a hint of menace – quite possibly a threat made on his behalf. One to bookmark…