Contemplate Sir Keir Starmer’s perpetual caution. Even after two by-election triumphs. It was described to me as “the Ming Vase strategy”. Step lightly and carefully to avoid damage.

My source’s tone featured a faint, but discernible, note of frustration. Caution can be exasperating.

Expect any such considerations to be swamped at Scottish Labour’s conference in Glasgow this weekend.

Nevertheless, they are there. It is understandable that Sir Keir feels the need to offer endless reassurance to voters south of the Border. Labour has become rather adept at losing to the Tories in England.

But that very caution, so vital in England, can be irritating north of the Border where the coming election reads rather differently. One source told me it would be enlivening to hear core Labour values expressed rather more vigorously.

Still, let us not exaggerate this. The party in Scotland is plainly backing Starmer – not least because he has helped transform Labour’s prospects and looks a clear favourite to become the next Prime Minister.

Secondly, it is firmly anticipated – particularly in Scotland – that Labour will increasingly highlight values-based campaigning as the UK General Election approaches.

But still that caution. Not least over Gaza and Israel. This week Labour eventually disowned the party’s candidate in the Rochdale by-election for remarks concerning Israel which were regarded as unacceptable.

For the Labour leadership, it revived grim memories of the controversy over anti-Semitism which dogged Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership.

Read more: Brian Taylor: Forget........

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