Ten weeks ago the Labour Party won a general election. No, scratch that. Ten weeks ago the Labour Party decimated the Conservatives and won the second biggest majority in the history of our democracy. That’s what happened on 4 July.

So now, the Party is united, focussed and fully supportive of the leadership delivering on the manifesto on which all 403 MPs were elected? Well, no. Strangely not.

Because this week fifty-two Labour MPs failed to support the government on a vote to restrict the winter fuel allowance to only the least well-off pensioners. And whilst the plan might not have been in the manifesto, it’s certainly consistent with the overall theme and message of the proposition they stood on at the election - whatever else, fiscal prudence comes first.

Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves have stood strong, and stuck to the plan despite the grumbling within the party. Because in their view, the question cuts to the most fundamental one the party, now in government, faces. After 14 years of sitting on the sidelines and complaining, is Labour - and are Labour MPs - now ready to govern? Are they ready to take tough choices between winners and losers when they face fiscal decisions?

Based on this week, the leadership is. But significant numbers of their backbenchers are not. Which bodes ill for how calm the waters might be after the November budget and beyond. Their 167 seat majority suddenly looks that bit less gargantuan than it was.

(Photo provided by UK Parliament/Jessica Taylor)