Keir Starmer's 'fightback' Labour conference looks to have flopped as a poll showed Reform extending its advantage.
The Prime Minister was seen as having given himself some breathing space from mutinous MPs and activists after ramping up attacks on Nigel Farage in Liverpool last week.
He was assisted by the humiliating implosion of Andy Burnham's fledgling leadership challenge.
However, Sir Keir caused consternation among senior Labour figures by branding Reform's immigration policy 'racist' - while he accused Mr Farage of not 'liking' Britain in his keynote speech.
Sadiq Khan was among those openly expressing doubts, warning that the term 'racist' was 'loaded' and risked alienating the public.
