The humbling of a prime minister by his own side is rarely an edifying spectacle, but it does at least suggest a pulse in the parliamentary system. Sir Keir Starmer has now staged three conspicuous retreats: over winter fuel payments, over grooming gangs and now – most perilously – over sweeping changes to disability benefits. Two of these reversals followed backbench unrest. This week’s about-face on the government’s flagship welfare bill looks less like a full U-turn than a partial climbdown designed to avert open rebellion.

While Sir Keir has taken a step back over benefit changes, which affect the most vulnerable in society, the result resembles textbook damage control. The concessions, presented as a response to principled pressure, feel more like fallback options held in reserve for moments of internal disquiet.

The first is that existing personal independence payment (Pip) claimants will be spared new, tighter assessments – at least for now. But about

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