Rachel Reeves was trying to hold it together, but in the end her lip wobbled and two tears escaped. Distraught and exhausted, Britain’s chancellor of the exchequer sat in the House of Commons, a distressing symbol of a Labour government in deep trouble. And then something strange happened.

C hancellor Rachel Reeves has made a surprise appearance alongside Sir Keir Starmer, one day after she was seen crying at Prime Minister's Questions. Helping to unveil the government's 10-year plan for the NHS, she was smiling and embraced the prime minister as they jointly set out the government's 10-year plan for the NHS.