This week, Labour MPs spending half term in their constituencies will be feeling more vulnerable than at any time in Keir Starmer’s strangely disconnected premiership. That includes those in seats formerly known as “safe”, which might need reclassifying as “doubtful” after Labour’s nightmare in the Caerphilly by-election last week.

After that horror show, Labour MPs will want to gauge the mood in their communities. With Halloween on Friday, they’ll blend in with the living dead, dragging themselves from door to door, scaring innocent homeowners. But there will be no treats on the Labour doorstep, and little optimism that there are any tricks left to play.

Caerphilly was bad. It’s a part of Wales that has voted Labour forever — until last Thursday. The party crashed to third place with ju

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