This ‘law of politics’ predicted Labour’s downfall. Now it could hold the secret to the next election

Are Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves ‘credible’ compared with Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt? asks John Rentoul

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves during a meeting of 22 new local council leaders at the headquarters of the Labour Party in London (PA) (PA Wire)

Chris Mullin, the Labour former minister, is one of the finest diarists of modern politics. His latest volume, covering the period since he stood down as an MP in 2010, is published this week and serialised exclusively in The Independent.

Mullin is waspish, independent-minded and indiscreet. Although he was one of Tony Benn’s closest friends, he was aware of his hero’s limitations. In the latest volume, he recounts a visit in 2014 to the dying Benn, who said: “My life has been a failure.” They both knew it was true, but Mullin felt obliged to disagree.

Mullin is also a sympathiser of Jeremy Corbyn, a fellow Bennite, and aware of his greater limitations, while at the same time being an admirer of Tony Blair. The diaries are punctuated by comments that “The Man” has given an interview, often making the case for EU membership, which reminded Mullin how good he was.