Could Nigel Farage unlock victory for Keir Starmer?

What is Labour’s offer for Nigel Farage? Yes, you read that right. Of course, Keir Starmer’s party detests almost everything the former Ukip leader stands for, including Brexit and immigration control. That almost goes without saying. But we are well into the phase of the political cycle when grubbing for votes is far more crucial than are purist ideals.

A generation ago, in advance of the 1997 election, Tony Blair and his gang were making regular overtures to Margaret Thatcher, who they knew to be deeply unimpressed by her successor John Major. Early in 1995, Blair caused consternation among many Labour left-wingers by praising aspects of Thatcher’s premiership, describing her as ‘a thoroughly determined person’ whose emphasis on enterprise had been proved right.

It did not take long for him to hit paydirt when she gave an interview to the Sunday Times in which she offered him guarded praise in return, describing him as Labour’s most formidable leader since Hugh Gaitskell and adding: ‘I see a lot of socialism in Labour’s front bench, but not in Blair.