After nearly 100 days in office, Sir Keir Starmer made significant changes to his administration on Sunday. A Labour MP commented on Starmer’s decisive action, stating, “Keir will always wield the knife when it needs to be done.”
The changes were spurred by the departure of Sue Gray from her role as Starmer’s chief of staff, which prompted a complete revamp of the Number 10 operation. Observers questioned why the prime minister waited so long to address these issues.
Gray, who was hired by Starmer in 2023 to aid in government preparations, had received criticism for her management approach but maintained Starmer’s loyalty. However, a contentious Labour conference in Liverpool convinced Starmer of the need to rectify the problems plaguing his early tenure.
Party members expressed discontent over Starmer’s decision to reduce winter fuel payments for 10 million pensioners and his involvement in a controversy over £32,000 worth of “freebie” suits and glasses. Gray faced growing internal backlash due to her £170,000 salary and alleged “control freakery,” with Labour special advisers attributing salary constraints partly to her.
Despite these criticisms, allies of Gray described the backlash as unfair, with many cabinet members supporting her. Nonetheless, a senior minister acknowledged that her dismissal was inevitable due to challenges surrounding the government transition, issues with special advisers, and persistent controversies.
After returning from engagements, including the UN General Assembly, Starmer lamented that Gray had become a focal point of controversy. She admitted being a “distraction” and will now serve as an adviser on relations with the UK’s devolved nations and regions, though her influence in Number 10 has ended.
The former civil servant was also accused of delaying key appointments, an issue Starmer addressed with Sunday’s team overhaul. Morgan McSweeney, a key player in Labour’s opposition campaign and their 2024 election victory, replaced Gray as chief of staff. Despite McSweeney’s popularity among Labour staffers, questions arose about his lack of Whitehall experience.
Two women, Vidhya Alakeson and Jill Cuthbertson, were appointed as deputy chiefs of staff alongside McSweeney, countering notions of a male-dominated inner circle. Gray’s choice not to have deputy chiefs had been criticized as a factor in the lack of central control.
Alakeson and Cuthbertson are respected figures within Number 10, but Gray’s departure has left a gap in Whitehall expertise. Within Starmer’s circle, strategic moves were made, including the hiring of James Lyons to enhance Downing Street’s communications, addressing previous disorganization under Gray.
Pat McFadden, cabinet office minister and a key figure in Starmer’s circle, played a significant role in orchestrating the reshuffle. The result of these changes is a more cohesive Number 10 operation, a transition that many Labour MPs believe was overdue.
