Rarely has the Labour Party been in such as mess as now

But was there more to Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet changes than simply a so-called “revenge reshuffle” aimed at those he claims have been disloyal towards him?

He sacked two members of the shadow cabinet – but, strangely, left unscathed and in his existing post as shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn who, in his speech supporting the government’s proposal to bomb Syria, showed more contempt for, and blatant defiance of, Corbyn than anyone else in Labour’s front ranks.

Isn’t the truth more likely that Corbyn is terrified that if he let the persuasive and influential Benn loose on the back-benches he might become the dangerous ringleader of the growing band of frustrated Labour back-benchers who want to see Corbyn ousted from office? A vote of no confidence on Corbyn from within the Labour Party could have the desired effect.

Rarely has the Labour Party been in such a mess. The Tories are discovering they can save their breath by not criticising Corbyn - despondent Labour MPs are doing it all for them.

Meanwhile, probably the most telling criticism of the Labour leader so far comes from a very old hand, but still as astute as ever.

Joe Haines, who was Harold Wilson’s press secretary at 10, Downing Street, had this to say: “Either Jeremy Corbyn goes or the Labour Party itself is a goner. Those who believe otherwise are the Flat Earthers of British politics.”

He could hardly be clearer than that.

• Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel has paid a high price for her virtual open-door policy allowing migrants to enter her country in huge numbers.

That price was the dreadful outbreak at Cologne railway station on New Year’s Eve in which a mob, including many Syrian migrants, indulged in mass sexual assaults on women.

One migrant apparently had the brass neck to say to a German policeman: “I must be handled in a friendly manner. Mrs. Merkel invited me here!” It makes your blood boil.

Merkel is considering tougher laws to make it easier to deport. And now it behoves those Britons, largely church dignitaries, to read, mark and learn Germany’s experience and Merkel’s folly before they continue to pursue a demand that the United Kingdom should open its floodgates to migrants.

These migrants’ appalling conduct was a slap in the face for the over-generous host country. No wonder Merkel wants to row back on her excessive generosity.

• Heartiest congratulations to Mary Wilson, widow of Harold Wilson, the former Labour Prime Minister. She celebrates her 100th birthday this week (Tuesday). She was an accomplished poet, whose work was much admired by John Betjeman, and was at one stage considered as a possible poet laureate.

Mary was married to Harold for 55 years before his death in 1995. She is by far the oldest Prime Ministerial spouse still alive. During his terms of office in 10, Downing Street, she was an able and supportive consort, although she did not relish the job of being a Prime Minister’s wife.

Indeed, at some important functions, she admitted she used to wear laddered stockings beneath the long dresses she was obliged to wear on these occasions.

A great woman and a huge asset and support to her husband.

• Fleet Street has made mistakes over the years, to be sure. But at least it does not go in for the ludicrous hyperbole indulged in by some MPs at Westminster.

“You’re bringing down the whole of womankind” was the reported rebuke offered by Deputy Commons Speaker Eleanor Laing to heavily-pregnant Labour back-bencher Tulip Siddiq for popping out of the Chamber to get a quick cuppa and a sticky bun after waiting several hours on the green benches to be called to speak.

Just a tad over the top, don’t you think?