Labour's timidity over Brexit has been one of the most lamentable aspects of this UK Government, writes Ian McConnell, who sees some straws in the wind suggesting that things might at long last be changing on this front.

It was heartening to hear a Labour Cabinet minister declare that he is “glad that Brexit is a problem whose name we dare now speak.”

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting’s remark looks like one of several straws in the wind signalling a significant shift in the willingness of Sir Keir Starmer’s administration to be more forthright about the effects of Brexit.

Labour’s timidity on this front has been one of the most lamentable aspects of this UK Government.

Sir Keir and his colleagues have appeared at pains to do anything to avoid upsetting Brexit voters, including those in “red wall” constituencies who switched allegiance in the December 2019 general election to sweep Boris Johnson to power.

This stance has been especially dispiriting given Sir Keir himself was such a vociferous and eloquent critic of Brexit’s effects back in late 2019.

The signs are, however, that Labour might be belatedly growing a backbone on Brexit.

There has been much talk recently that the UK Government will highlight the damage caused to the economy by Brexit, including the impact on productivity, in the........

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