tbf, shmmeee does have a point that the current crop of insane Tories are worse than even a centre-right leaning Labour Party, so that's the point.
Also easier to influence from a position of power than on the margins, so better to start there really.
But I do agree it's frustrating. tbh Starmer's leadership campaign was about right for me - progressive, vaguely left policies dressed up in a respectable intelligent suit who'd shown he could argue well, and ditching the more wild areas of policy and rhetoric for electability. The thrall to focus groups is disappointing, as there has been an opportunity to lead the conversation that hasn't been taken. You'd think a manifesto has to say something about going forward as people do need to be inspired with a bit of hope - Johnson may be an incompetent womaniser, but he's always understood that you offer people promises of hope and things happening, and people vote for you!
Anyway, I reckon my seat will stay Tory regardless (UKIP always seemed to run strongly here too!) so I'll be voting Labour out of tokenism unless somebody really moves me from the margins - and no, it won't be Reform!