It was clear from the prime minister's very personal and handwritten letter to his fallen deputy Angela Rayner, that this was a resignation he did not want and deeply regretted.

And so he should: Ms Rayner's departure from his government is a huge loss.

She is a powerhouse within the Labour Party and a figurehead of the left, who brought Sir Keir's project some legitimacy from quarters of the Labour movement minded to give him short shrift.

Describing her as a "true friend" and the embodiment of the sort of social mobility he would want to leave as his legacy in office, it was clear that the prime minister both mourned her departure and wanted to keep his formidable and politically astute former deputy onside.

Because her departure does create difficulties. She is badly-wounded now, bu

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