There's one big question still stumping Sir Keir Starmer. Figuring out the answer could save his premiership - Christopher Hope
Sir Keir Starmer found himself caught in a trap laid by Kemi Badenoch at PMQs
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GB News's Political Editor dissects how the week has unfolded for the Prime minister
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Nearly two years into this Labour Government, Sir Keir Starmer is still struggling to show the country that he is in charge.
His supporters wouldn't agree with this, but the Prime Minister has often appeared like a rabbit caught in the headlights, apparently slow to show leadership on the big decisions.
It was a point exploited this week at Prime Minister's Questions by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.
Pushed repeatedly on whether he would allow for more drilling in the North Sea, Sir Keir repeatedly pointed out that legally this was a decision for Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.
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Mrs Badenoch knew he would hide behind existing statute - which is why she asked the question. And she was able to accuse the PM of “hiding behind the Energy Secretary”.
His answer was puzzling: why not say (correctly) that Labour was elected on a pledge not to issue new oil and gas licences in the North Sea and will stick by that pledge?
Instead, when push comes to shove, the PM resorts to the safe legal framework. One which he is very familiar with after his time as Director of Public Prosecutions.
Sir Keir seems to lack the fleet of foot, and ability to see where the political wind is blowing - something party leaders need.
His instincts seem to be more managerial than decisive; but he’s not running a law firm but a G7 country.
It is striking that he has not been able to appoint a new chief of staff (important) nor a new communications director (less important). These jobs are often left vacant in a government a matter of months - not years - from a general election.
Sir Keir demonstrated similar caution over the Iran war. Although his intent on following the international rule book over the UK's approach has left him in the right place according to public opinion, it has soured relations with US President Donald Trump.
On Thursday Mr Trump complained to GB News presenter Bev Turner that Sir Keir's intransigence meant his bombers had to fly 17 hours from the US to bomb Iran, rather than a few hours from the UK base at Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands.
There are reports too in a recent book that Sir Keir dithered over agreeing to the quasi-nationalisation of the Scunthorpe steel plant, and securing hundreds of jobs in the north east of England.
Sir Keir is a meticulous, diligent and decent man. But leadership at the top level also demands decisiveness, a readiness to take political chances and the conviction to stand behind controversial decisions.
Sir Keir's Labour Government has still not answered the question posed by its landslide victory in July 2024: what is it for? When Sir Keir finds the answer, he might also find political leadership a more manageable prospect.