OPINION

       Keir Starmer's party has an intellectual problem (Image: Getty)

       Recognise that distinctive whiff? That would be the smell of burning rubber as Sir Keir Starmer was forced to concede he “will look at” ensuring winter fuel payments are made available to more people in need. While the political point-scoring over the weakness of U-turns is, to me, frankly absurd – if you’re going the wrong way up the M1, it probably makes sense to turn round! – the Government has caught a heavy cold with their tardiness over these winter payments.

       From the days of George Osborne onwards, I have been reliably informed EVERY chancellor has had this cruel policy suggested to them, and every single one has been smart enough to bin it. Even Kwasi Kwarteng with Liz Truss. However, these current economic dullards signed up to it. With inflation increasing, this current crew would struggle to run a corner shop, let alone a country.

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       Monty Don enjoys the Chelsea Flower Show's dog garden (Image: Getty)

       Pic. Of Chelsea Flower Show dog garden, Daily Mail, p. 3, 20 May.

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       I was fortunate enough to be a guest at the Chelsea Flower Show last week courtesy of Lloyds Banking Group in conjunction with the Woodland Trust, and the importance of the emotional reassurance and tranquility gardens provide was brought home by the wheelbarrow load.

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       Mixing with senior politicians (former Chancellor Sir Jeremy Hunt) business leaders (brilliant former Marks and Spencer boss Lord Rose) and media bosses (BBC chief Tim Davie) you could see EVERYONE was instantly relaxed in the blissful setting and potential foes were chatting amiably, underscoring what so many of us know and appreciate – gardens can be crucial to good mental health.

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       The unique Dog Garden was one of this year’s special features, and I’m also happy to report you can walk safely there without any fear of a messy accident!

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       It is not wrong to seek a closer, and hopefully more beneficial, relationship with our European friends, but this Government would be unwise to go much further in appeasing demands from Brussels, which without doubt got the better part of the bargain with last week’s reset. EU have been warned, Sir Keir.

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       With the Government getting just about everything wrong – inflation up, winter fuel payments debacle, Chagos Islands embarrassment, being monstered by the EU in the Brexit reset – it would take quite some doing for an opposition to slump in the polls.

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       But never fear, the Conservatives have managed it and are now behind both Reform AND the Liberal Democrats in fourth place. What was once the most successful party on the planet could now be staring at political oblivion.

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       When it comes to listening to someone who might actually know what the dangers are with allowing AI companies to access copyrighted material without permission, would you go for Sir Elton John? Or a government Secretary of State who studied community development at university?