Lawyers tend not to be visionaries, people who can escape the captivity of group-think and inspire others to see things differently. Sir Keir Starmer QC, former Director of Public Prosecutions, is a lawyer and not an exception to this rule, though the field in which he practised at the Bar was mainly about human rights. He has some shrewd political instincts, however, which makes it a reasonable bet that he will lead Labour to victory in two years’ time or less.

This means that his latest initiative, a proposed freeze on energy prices to prevent them going through the roof this winter, is a challenge the government cannot ignore. The two contenders for the leadership of the Conservative Party will have to respond, the government itself having gone into a coma while they thrash it out between them. The public realises that every possible solution to the current cost of living crisis will have some drawbacks as well as positives. Starmer’s set of proposals, now official Labour policy, is far from flawless. It could be better targeted at those most in need. But it may be the least bad option. It is certainly better than anything suggested by Liz Truss or Rishi Sunak as they tour the country making their pitch to Tory party members. Indeed, early polling suggests Starmer’s ideas are popular, and appeal to Tory voters as much as Labour ones.