In Haigh's defence it's entirely credible that she made a genuine mistake

and followed advice from a solicitor, no-commenting rather than just saying actually I've found this now so it wasn't taken. Lawyers can be bad for you as well as good for you. Though against that, once she'd found it, why not proactively contact plod and say so?

Either way it's a blow, Haigh was genuinely effective in that job and the new one has to deliver on what's already been announced/put through and that's very much a non trivial task.

Also notable Haigh is from the left of the party; not clear Starmer is all that keen in retaining that factional balance mind.

I think Starmer is playing very good politics on immigration, btw. It will come down naturally over the next five years even if he does nothing, and he will be able to point to it going up massively a) post-Brexit and b) under the Tories and then coming down under him. It won't matter in most seats, but it will help him in the Labour/Reform split ones (either literally or effectively because of who the Tories have put up).

Posted By: Old Man, Nov 29, 13:40:27