By our own metrics, the government is not thriving. Waiting times at emergency ( A&E) wards may be falling, but at a glacial pace. The number of migrants crossing in small boats has risen by 38% over the past year. Housebuilding is moribund and crime incidents, although relatively low, have increased by 10%.

But the parallel is this: a government transparently not in control of events, shoved around humiliatingly by parliament. The astonishing thing about this row is Sir Keir Starmer has a mandate and a majority.

Sir Keir Starmer has sought to calm the markets and end speculation about Rachel Reeves' future after the chancellor was seen crying in the House of Commons. The pound plummeted and government borrowing costs rose after the incident at prime minister's questions on Wednesday,

LONDON (Reuters) -British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Wednesday that financial minister Rachel Reeves would remain chancellor "for a very long time to come" after she was seen crying during prime minister's questions.