Labour toasts its success in Boris Johnson’s Partygate humiliation

Keir Starmer's team in ebullient mood as focused tactics contrast with PM's ebbing authority

The contrast was marked. Shortly after the Commons agreed a third Partygate inquiry, the few visible Conservative MPs seemed notably downcast while colleagues had already scarpered, wheeling their suitcases out of Westminster and heading to their constituencies amid the chaos of government U-turns.

The mood in the Labour team, meanwhile, was ebullient after the party led the humiliation. Keir Starmer joined aides for a drinks gathering on the Commons terrace that evening.