Express & Star

'Get it in quick so they blame the Tories' - Toby Neal on the Prime Minister's plans for pensioners this winter

"Dear Santa..." This was going to be a good letter. You don't become Director of Public Prosecutions without being able to write good letters.

Plus
Published

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565

Sir Keir sat back in the leather chair and adjusted his glasses. What was it he really wanted for Christmas? All his dreams had come true back in July.

Pensively he gazed into the Downing Street fireplace. Boarded up, of course. For the benefit of younger readers, in olden days you would write your letter to Santa and then put it up the chimney for him collect. The advent of central heating has meant new methods have had to be found. Sir Keir's letter, for example, is being dropped round the Treasury.

And as First Lord of the Treasury, Sir Keir allowed himself a little chuckle. I'm a bit like Santa myself, he said to himself.

On the wall above the fireplace was a landscape, one of those which had replaced portraits of his predecessors. It had had to be adapted to align with Labour policies. An artist had been brought in to paint out the cows and add pylons and a wind farm in the distance, while in one corner a housing development was emerging. Having it on the wall made Sir Keir feel in touch with the countryside.

Sir Keir Starmer in Cambridge
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Chris Radburn/PA)

Christmas, a time to reflect on around half a year in office and weigh up achievements so far.