Struggling to defend the indefensible is what exasperated cabinet comrades believe triggered Lucy Powell’s “crazy” claim that the winter fuel allowance cut helped Labour avoid a Liz Truss-style economic crash. Powell, leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council, irritated colleagues by flaunting her power as head of a star chamber and interrogating ministers on proposed legislation. One victim moaned he was made to feel like the little boy in blue, hands behind his back, grilled about when did he last see his father in the William Frederick Yeames’ English Civil War painting. This Labour feud is more family than royalists vs roundheads.
Chums of bet-hedging Boris Johnson whisper that the vanquished liar is waiting until Tory MPs cull the wannabe leader choice to just two before deciding who to champion in his £1m a year Daily Mail column. The endorsement none want is Liz Truss’s, the lettuce loser is considered a kiss of death. Kemi Badenoch and Robert Jenrick camps reached out to loopy Liz, whispered a snout, pleading for her not to jeopardise their hopes by voicing support.
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