Ditching plans to delay votes in 30 English councils gives Nigel Farage chance to capitalise on Labour unpopularity

• Starmer abandons plans to delay local elections in England in latest U-turn

Keir Starmer was challenged on Monday morning over the list of U-turns he has made since entering government less than two years ago, including on cuts to winter fuel payments, cuts to disability benefits and hikes in inheritance tax for farmers.

“I am a pragmatist. I am a common-sense merchant,” he told the BBC presenter Jeremy Vine in his defence.