Pat McFadden Talks to Rebel MPs.

After last Thursday's drubbing of Labour by Reform UK, Labour MPs were in a rebellious mood. Labour up and down the country lost council seats, mayoral elections, and the Runcorn and Helsby by-election. After such a bad night and Sir Keir Starmer's rejection of a U-turn on policy, that was enough for many Labour MPs.

Sir Keir introduced cuts to welfare, cuts to winter fuel payment, etc. These policies have damaged Labour's image. Then, after the losses in last week's elections to Reform UK and Sir Keir's refusal to change tack, it lit the fuse for this Labour rebellion.

The Minister of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations, Pat McFadden, was dispatched to meet 100 rebellious Labour Members of Parliament.

A room in Parliament was given over to this meeting. Amongst the rebel MPs was Diane Abbott, a stalwart of the Labour left. Had Jeremy Corbyn won the election of 2019, she would have been Home Secretary. Ms. Abbott left the meeting early and refused to speak to the press.

Most of the 100 MPs were young. From the intake of last year's general election. Where Labour won a crushing victory. The meeting was labelled a "Plan for Change". However, the real truth was that the meeting was meant to calm the MPs' fears over the threat from Reform UK. Sir Keir was facing a mutiny. And I don't mean on The Bounty. The scenario of underlings being angry over their leader's direction has historical similarities to the hapless Captain of The Bounty and his angry crew, however.

Going with the nautical theme, Pat McFadden sought to reassure the Labour crew. To steady the good ship Labour and to convince the Labour crew to remain loyal. And accept that Captain Starmer will come through in the end. Despite the storm in the sea of politics caused by Farage and Reform UK.

Labour rebels, after the meeting, accused Pat McFadden of being a human shield to cover for the failure and unpopularity of Sir Keir.

Of course, Sir Keir Starmer is not the first person refusing to do a U-turn. Famously, Margaret Thatcher, when she was facing unpopularity, was asked or told to do a U-turn. She replied as only a woman like Thatcher could: "The Lady's not for turning, U-turn if you want to"!

Later on, Tony Blair was asked to do the same thing. Mr. Blair said he could not change direction, as he had "No reverse gear"!

So if Sir Keir wants inspiration from past prime ministers in the same predicament, he may gain comfort from them. Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair changed the UK forever. And not always for the good.

Both leaders faced their downfall as every historical leader does. They were becoming a liability to their party. Many in the country were falling out of love with them. So by hook or by crook, they were forced out, one way or the other. The major difference between Sir Keir Starmer and those two is that they did not face a party like Reform UK.

Reform UK, whether they are a flash in the pan or something for the future, have put Labour on notice. People are fed up with the same old parties, Labour and Conservative.

Labour is not the only party worried by the rise of Reform UK. Kemi Badenoch and the Conservatives are equally vulnerable to Reform UK. Perhaps more so, as Reform UK is drawing away support from the Conservatives, a fellow right-wing party. Like Sir Keir, Kemi Badenoch is embattled, facing criticism left, right, and centre.

Can Sir Keir and even the Conservatives turn it around? Reform UK has thrown down the gauntlet to them. How they answer the challenge of Farage and his party will remain to be seen.