Labour’s blame game for its abysmal local elections performance (down 187 councillors, with Reform nabbing what should have been easy Labour wins at this point in the parliament) remains all about winter fuel. Reeves’ abolition of the Winter Fuel Allowance in July last year (worth about £1.5 billion) is widely seen as a primary cause for the government’s unpopularity, with Labour backbench anxiety at record levels. Labour MPs have privately lobbied No 10 for a u-turn in “significant” numbers, according to comradely sources…
Now Guido hears from government insiders that Reeves’ team is furious at briefings which emerged over the past week suggesting that there could indeed be a u-turn on the cut. The Guardian breathlessly reported last week: “Downing Street is rethinking its controversial winter fuel payment cut amid growing anxiety at the top of government that the policy could wreak serious electoral damage.” Rachel and the accounts department are said to blame No 10 for directly briefing this story, which was also covered by the BBC. Another Labour insider mused that Reeves would not withstand such a u-turn. Could a u-turn solve an electoral problem for Starmer and give him an excuse to whack his extremely unpopular Chancellor? At least she’s got her CV at the ready…
Sarah Pochin at Reform Scotland’s manifesto launch event: “I really wanted to come on in a Reform tartan burka, but apparently I wasn’t allowed… One day let’s do one of these events not live-streamed. We’ll do all the naughty stuff…”