Inside the Inner Circle: Morgan McSweeney Steps Up as Starmer’s Chief of Staff Amid Labour’s Tumult

Starmer's Right-Hand Man: A Closer Look at Morgan McSweeney, the Prime Minister's Latest Chief Confidant

Morgan McSweeney has stepped in as the Prime Minister's chief of staff after Sue Gray was removed from the position. Sky News consults with top-level Labour insiders to delve into the profile of the individual Sir Keir believes will help revive the struggling government's prospects.

Political journalist @Journoamrogers

Friday, October 11, 2024 02:18

During a Tuesday evening gathering with special advisers, Morgan McSweeney reportedly delivered an exceptionally well-received speech that boosted morale following a series of tough weeks.

An official from a government agency mentioned that the conversations following the meeting were primarily focused on Morgan's physical presentation.

"He admitted that working as a spad felt more like a nightmare than the dream job he anticipated. His remarks were well-received, but clearly, they expect deeds, not just promises."

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Discontent among Labour's special advisers, who are political appointees assisting ministers, regarding their salaries was just one of several disputes that led to the demise of Sue Gray, the previous investigator of the partygate scandal, whom Sir Keir had heavily invested in recruiting.

She has taken on the role of Sir Keir's special envoy for the nations and regions, a position that not only sees her forfeiting the £170,000 salary she previously earned—a detail that was disclosed to the press in an effort to undermine her politically—but also the exceptional level of access she once had to the prime minister.

For many, the decision to reappoint Mr. McSweeney as chief of staff is seen as the exact solution necessary to rejuvenate the party, following a tumultuous first 100 days in office that were overshadowed by controversies surrounding giveaways and contributions, which caused a significant drop in Sir Keir's approval ratings.

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"A government insider noted that Morgan possesses a more politically driven persona with clear ideas about the nation's direction and actions," said the source. "It's incorrect to claim that Keir lacks similar qualities; the issue was that it wasn't communicated effectively."

The source admitted that although the issues wouldn't be resolved immediately, under Mr. McSweeney's leadership, there would be significantly more motivation originating from the core.

"Observe the transformation he has brought to the Labour Party. Morgan is an absolute workaholic, poised to forge a stronger sense of purpose."

Another advocate expressed confidently: "He will surely be a positive influence."

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For other more critical viewers, the embarrassing downfall of Ms. Gray has presented an ideal chance for Mr. McSweeney to once again portray himself as the rescuer of the Labour Party and the solver of its issues—issues that he seemingly let worsen in an effort to undermine a competitor.

A high-ranking official from Whitehall told Sky News, "There are criticisms to be made of Sue’s approach to management. Some might argue she restricted access to Keir, overloaded her agenda causing delays, and made some adversaries within the Civil Service. However, these are issues that could be attributed to anyone holding her position."

"Morgan had a knack for subtly escalating situations. He intentionally allowed errors to occur, which he then pinned on Sue to push her out."

'He will assert his authority over Whitehall'

The image portrayed of Mr. McSweeney suggests that he is highly effective, as demonstrated by his successful efforts to revive Labour after its historic election loss in 2019.

However, up until now, this skill has primarily been examined in the context of political parties, rather than governmental institutions.

Observers note that Mr. McSweeney previously served as chief of staff during a period when the Labour Party was not in power and suffered a significant defeat in the Hartlepool by-election — an event so crushing for the party that it reportedly led Sir Keir to contemplate resignation.

Mr. McSweeney transitioned into the role of campaign director, a position he held up to and during the election period.

"Ultimately, Morgan was shifted from the chief of staff position due to his inability to effectively manage the operations," one source stated, noting his difficulties with handling new problems, overseeing staff, and managing daily logistics.

"They pointed out that his most significant experience in governance was overseeing Lambeth council," mentioning his tenure at the London municipal body where he earned acclaim for overcoming extreme leftist challenges.

For further information: Sue Gray will be absent from her initial crucial meeting in her new position. Following Sue Gray's exit, Sir Keir Starmer and his colleagues face a significant task in restoring stability.

Supporters of Mr. McSweeney contest the claim that he was demoted from his position as chief of staff, arguing that his reassignment was necessary to address issues at party headquarters.

Observers think that he will eventually succeed in restructuring the government to his liking, similar to the changes he implemented within the party.

"Morgan is well-informed, consistently gathering extensive feedback from various individuals and locations. However, the final choices he made were independently his," a high-ranking source from the Labour Party noted.

"He stands out significantly within the party structure, and rightfully so. The real issue, however, is whether he possesses a thorough understanding of the inner workings and systems of Whitehall."

They continued, "I believe he will transform his surroundings instead of conforming to them and losing his identity. He's likely to dominate his environment to shape it into a place where he can succeed."

The chief of staff should be entirely in sync with the Prime Minister.

Alex Thomas, who is the program director at the Institute for Government think tank and previously served as a director in the Civil Service, describes the chief of staff's job as blending the political aspects with the official duties.

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Speaking to Sky News, he stated, "You are the final individual present when major political decisions are made, offering various pieces of advice, and you enhance the prime minister's influence throughout Whitehall and across the entire government."

"Chief aides should seamlessly reflect the prime minister's persona."

He mentioned that the difficulty former chiefs of staff have faced lies in finding the perfect equilibrium between initiating change, implementing reforms, and maintaining support from others.

Mr. McSweeney might well understand the core group of his party, yet the greater challenge lies in uniting the broader Labour alliance, which is significantly more cumbersome.

In her latest role, Ms. Gray has the potential to establish a competing group of influential city mayors that might become a challenge for Mr. McSweeney, especially if the primary objectives of the central government, such as cutting public expenditures or limiting workers' rights, conflict with the interests of populations beyond Westminster.

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Mr. McSweeney's apparent success in removing Ms. Gray from her position has led to parallels being drawn with Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnson's domineering chief of staff, whose self-driven pursuits and estrangement from party members eventually undermined his leader.

There is concern among some insiders that the way Ms. Gray has been handled, despite any errors she might have made in her position, could signal who they might go after next.

"A source stated, 'When Morgan's group targets you, they're bound to succeed.'"

"Once Keir is no longer useful to them, they will inform him that his time has come to an end."

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