Sir Keir Starmer pulled off a stunning two step manoeuvre last week. First he persuaded the Speaker of the House to ensure that Labour would not split itself in two over a meaningless vote on Gaza. Then, when difficult questions loomed about just what tactics he had used to accomplish this feat, the national conversation was shifted to an absurd debate over whether it is acceptable for elected parliamentarians and their families to be confronted by intimidating protesters at their own homes.