Now Rayner's gone, let’s scrap this growth-stifling workers' rights bill

Government is an exercise in persistence. Putting that into practise means dedicating oneself to shaking off setbacks, rather than getting bogged down in them, and in seeking opportunities in bad news where possible.

The resignation of Angela Rayner is such a moment. Sir Keir Starmer would never have chosen to lose such a prominent minister, or to do so in such embarrassing circumstances.

It’s happened, and there’s no point in Downing Street dwelling on the loss of one of their best-known and most driven frontbenchers, nor on the public anger about hypocrisy which will inevitably stick to the Government. Instead, they should look for any upsides her departure presents.

The first opportunity was in the reshuffle – either by letting go ministers who weren’t up to snuff, or taking th