Angela Rayner's resignation will trigger a tumultuous period for the government and the Labour party that could throw both into even greater chaos and gloom.
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to carry out a wide reshuffle of his top team after Ms Rayner, 45, quit as deputy prime minister and housing secretary.
While Rachel Reeves is certain to remain as Chancellor - not least because she is in the middle of putting together the November 26 Budget, many of the top jobs could change hands.
Her decision to walk also means that the UK government will get its seventh housing secretary in five years, at a time when efforts to boost supply and where to build are proving controversial.
There are signs that Sir Keir will now try to move on from the meltdown by staging a wider reshuffle as early as today - less than a week after he attempted a 'phase two' relaunch.
