python repl vi mode line editing not working.

Kubuntu 24.04.
sinewave:toby ~(1)> cat .inputrc
set editing-mode vi
set keymap vi
sinewave:toby ~(1)> cat .editrc
bind -v
bind \t rl_complete
sinewave:toby ~(1)> python
Python 2.7.18 (default, Jul  8 2024, 12:49:12)
[GCC 13.2.0] on linux2
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.

1 

1

2

2

^[k

I see the literal 'escape' character + 'k', when it should
let me edit previous commands.
I did have to compile my own python because I'm using 2.7 on
this machine.
Thanks for any help.
Toby