Several moments have typified the abduction of the UK left and its replacement by a counterfeit class of artisan activists. None though, seemed as starkly emblematic as the conduct of Karen Shore, Labour’s candidate to replace Mike Amesbury as MP for Runcorn and Helsby.

Ms Shore has launched an online petition calling for an asylum hotel in the constituency to be closed in what seems to be a clumsy attempt to meet the challenge of the rise of right-wing populists in the constituency. Imagine if the British Labour Party in 1936 had fought alongside Oswald Mosley and his Blackshirts in the Battle of Cable Street in 1936.

Ms Shore though, would never have dared try anything like this had she not been emboldened by Labour’s direction of travel under Sir Keir Starmer. Since becoming Prime Minister, Sir Keir has systematically dismantled his party’s election manifesto pledge by pledge. Society’s neediest groups are bearing the brunt of his deception.

It’s why the former Scottish Labour MP, Neil Findlay – one of the most committed party members north of the border – ripped up his membership card after 35 years. Mr Findlay, like many authentic Socialists, was radicalised by the 1984/85 Miners Strike, the Poll Tax and the anti-trade unionism and militaristic fetishism of the Thatcher era.

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Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour party would now enthusiastically endorse Mrs Thatcher’s position in all of these areas. Quite how you can call yourself a Labour supporter while backing Rachel Reeves’ welfare cuts and Sir Keir’s dangerous jingoism in Ukraine is beyond my........

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