Prudence is back! But Gordon Brown’s friend has a new name: Rachel…

...and she’s even stricter this time, writes John Rentoul. Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has gone even further than Brown did, ruling out a wealth tax and shutting down new spending pledges

Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves promised not to increase taxes at all, apart from the three small changes already announced (PA Wire)

Keir Starmer wants to be the new Tony Blair, and with a soaring lead in the opinion polls and talk of a Labour landslide he has been partly successful.

But Blair was a partnership, and recently Starmer seems to be trying to be the new Gordon Brown as well. The Labour leader is copying Brown’s fiscal rectitude and his stubbornness. He has come out against the ultra-low-emission zone because he dislikes the idea of an extra charge on drivers.

And Brown’s friend Prudence is back. As shadow chancellor and then chancellor, Brown was both praised and mocked for his imaginary companion, the sober-suited guardian of balanced books and strict controls on public spending.