UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Former Home Secretary David Blunkett urges PM Keir Starmer to sack Number 10 chief Morgan McSweeney after controversy over Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
As reported by The Independent, former Labour Home Secretary David Blunkett urged Sir Keir Starmer to dismiss his Downing Street chief of staff.
What did David Blunkett say about Morgan McSweeney after the briefing row?
Lord Blunkett called on Keir Starmer to sack top aide Morgan McSweeney and appoint someone with strong people management skills.
His remarks come after secret briefings suggested Wes Streeting intended to replace the prime minister.
Mr Streeting has rejected the claims, calling them evidence of a “toxic culture” at Number 10.
The prime minister apologised to the health secretary, saying he was told the briefings “did not come from Downing Street,” adding,
“I will absolutely deal with anybody responsible for briefing against ministers, Cabinet ministers or any other ministers.”
Lord Blunkett said,
“If I was Keir Starmer I would say to Morgan McSweeney ‘you have got great skills, you helped enormously with me in building a winning team before the election.”
He stated,
“Now is the time for me to find you another role that you are good at and I will bring in someone with the overall experience that we need to be the chief of staff.”
The former home secretary continued,
“It is a particular role it is about knowing about government and having been in a senior position where you have had to not only run the show but manage people well. It is not rocket science but it is a particular skill.”
Lord Blunkett warned that failure to improve government performance could open the door for Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to take power.
He added,
“We will be in serious trouble if we don’t get our act together because the opinion polls are awful and the feeling of bewilderment in the electorate is palpable.”
What did the government say about Morgan McSweeney’s future?
Morgan McSweeney is being held responsible by some Labour figures for the attacks on Wes Streeting, which appeared aimed at deterring leadership challengers.
Insiders said that Mr McSweeney will remain in his role, saying,
“He’s done absolutely nothing wrong. He’s not going anywhere. I can categorically say he was not involved indirectly or directly.”
On Thursday, 13 November, the prime minister said he “of course” has full confidence in his chief of staff, after being assured no briefings against ministers came from Number 10.
Sir Keir Starmer pledged to “absolutely deal with anybody responsible” for the briefing row that surfaced at the top of government.
He said,
“First let me be clear that any briefing against ministers is completely unacceptable. That is not a new position for me, it is a position I have adopted ever since I became Prime Minister. I have made it very clear to my team.”
The prime minister stated,
“I have been talking to my team today. I have been assured that no briefing against ministers was done from No 10 but I have made it clear that I find it absolutely unacceptable.”
He continued,
“I have been assured it didn’t come from Downing Street but I have been equally clear that whether it is this case or any other, I intend to deal with it.”
When questioned about sacking those responsible, the Labour leader responded,
“I will absolutely deal with anybody responsible for briefing against ministers, Cabinet ministers or any other ministers. I have always said that is the standard that I expect, and that is the standard that I will enforce.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves also expressed support for Mr McSweeney.
Referring to briefings should result in removing, the Chancellor said,
“There, I think, is going to be a leak inquiry, but at the moment there is no evidence of where that briefing is coming from.”
A Downing Street spokesperson said no leak inquiry had been launched and rejected suggestions that the prime minister was attempting a cover-up.
How did Wes Streeting respond to claims about Number 10 briefings?
Wes Streeting said he had “no idea” whether the prime minister was looking into who was behind the briefing.
He stated,
“That’s yesterday’s news and it’s Westminster bubble stuff that doesn’t mean anything to anyone.”
The health secretary added,
“I don’t think voters give two monkeys about what on earth is going on in the sort of Westminster village soap opera. What they do care about is, if they’re on an NHS waiting list, are we getting them down?”
Mr Streeting rejected claims he might mount a leadership bid and demanded the dismissal of those responsible for the briefing.
What did YouGov reveal about Keir Starmer’s support among Britons?
A new YouGov survey conducted during the briefing row shows that around half of Britons (51%) believe Keir Starmer should resign as Labour leader and allow a successor to take over.
The poll also found that 27% want him to continue in post, with 23% unsure.Peter Kellner, ex-head of YouGov, added,
“Regarding poll ratings post-Keir, it will depend on whether his successor is able straight away to establish a reputation for being competent and trustworthy. These qualities will matter as much as, and possibly more than, any change in policies.”
