As Sir Keir Starmer approached the first anniversary of his general election victory, the indelible image this week was of a prime minister failing to fully back his chancellor Rachel Reeves, tears rolling down her cheeks, her welfare reform plans in tatters.

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%.

The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves has the PM's 'full backing', a Downing Street spokesman insists, after the chancellor was seen crying in the House of Commons.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s aides scrambled to express support for Rachel Reeves after his chancellor’s tearful appearance in the House of Commons spurred a UK market selloff amid speculation about her future.