Perhaps we should cut Sir Keir Starmer some slack over his scorched earth approach to leadership. The new Prime Minister has been hoovering up gifts and hospitality like a wild-eyed contestant on Supermarket Sweep. No trinket has been deemed too small to deserve his consideration; no folderol too trivial. I’m reminded of a Robert Herrick poem, written in 1648, which has inspired generations of capitalists and robber-barons.

Gather ye Rose-buds while ye may, Old Time is still a-flying: And this same flower that smiles today, Tomorrow will be dying.

Sir Keir has adopted an admirable leading-from-the front strategy to accepting the fringe dividends that come with high office. Since becoming leader of the UK Labour Party, he has accepted two and a half-times more handouts than any other of his elected colleagues.

Isn’t it good to know that while Sir Keir is a millionaire many times over, he’s also fond of those little unearned assets that drop into your lap from time to time to ease your route through life’s turbid waters?

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His father (a tool-maker, don’t you know) would have been proud that his son has used all the implements at his disposal to fashion something good for himself. It’s just his way of saying: “Look, I may be very rich and very powerful but I’m really just like the rest of you.”

Sir Keir (annual salary: £167k) has augmented this footling quantum with more than £100k of benefits since he became Labour leader. This includes £12,588 worth of tickets to see his favourite football club, Arsenal. The London giants have also offered him free use of one of their corporate boxes........

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