Downing Street’s Chief of Staff, Sue Gray, was sacked after a turbulent month for the new government and rumours of behind-the-scenes clashes. But will her forced departure bring stability for 10 Downing Street? Or are these events symptomatic of a larger issue with Starmer’s government?
Firstly, a bit of background on Sue Gray. Before being appointed as Starmer’s Chief of Staff, Gray had been a civil servant, a strictly non-partisan role. She had also led the investigation into the Partygate scandal, and her findings were a key cause of Boris Johnson’s resignation as Prime Minister. Therefore, it was surprising that she was appointed to a party-political role in the Labour party. This led some people to question her independence during the Partygate investigation, and whilst it is a stretch to suggest that she was not impartial as a civil servant, it is true that her appointment was an unusual one.
Her findings were a key cause of Boris Johnson’s resignation
However, the larger controversy came after the general election as Gray became Downing Street Chief of Staff. Within the first month of government, there was a negative briefing against Gray which suggested she was clashing with Morgan McSweeney, Labour’s head of political strategy. The two were said to be “running separate teams” in Downing Street, which had allegedly caused divisions. The fact that McSweeney has now replaced Gray as Chief of Staff has done nothing to quell the rumours of rivalry between them and has led to suggestions that she was the victim of a coup from McSweeney and his allies. To quote one cabinet minister, “One or both of them will have to go. It’s not going to be Morgan.”
The justification for Gray’s hiring was that, as a former civil servant, she has extensive knowledge and experience of how the government operates and would therefore be able to help carry out the new government’s agenda effectively.
Following her departure, Labour will still face questions over the lack of direct governing experience in Downing Street.
However, it is likely too early to claim that the government has been “thrown into chaos” as some Conservatives have suggested. Whilst this is far from an ideal start for Labour, the fact that Starmer identified a conflict within his team and acted swiftly to resolve it shows that he wants to lead an effective government and that he is willing to be ruthless to do so. We will likely have to wait and if see if removing Sue Gray was the right decision.
Starmer identified a conflict within his team and acted swiftly to resolve it
Will a Downing Street reset work?
Downing Street’s Chief of Staff, Sue Gray, was sacked after a turbulent month for the new government and rumours of behind-the-scenes clashes. But will her forced departure bring stability for 10 Downing Street? Or are these events symptomatic of a larger issue with Starmer’s government?
Firstly, a bit of background on Sue Gray. Before being appointed as Starmer’s Chief of Staff, Gray had been a civil servant, a strictly non-partisan role. She had also led the investigation into the Partygate scandal, and her findings were a key cause of Boris Johnson’s resignation as Prime Minister. Therefore, it was surprising that she was appointed to a party-political role in the Labour party. This led some people to question her independence during the Partygate investigation, and whilst it is a stretch to suggest that she was not impartial as a civil servant, it is true that her appointment was an unusual one.
However, the larger controversy came after the general election as Gray became Downing Street Chief of Staff. Within the first month of government, there was a negative briefing against Gray which suggested she was clashing with Morgan McSweeney, Labour’s head of political strategy. The two were said to be “running separate teams” in Downing Street, which had allegedly caused divisions. The fact that McSweeney has now replaced Gray as Chief of Staff has done nothing to quell the rumours of rivalry between them and has led to suggestions that she was the victim of a coup from McSweeney and his allies. To quote one cabinet minister, “One or both of them will have to go. It’s not going to be Morgan.”
The justification for Gray’s hiring was that, as a former civil servant, she has extensive knowledge and experience of how the government operates and would therefore be able to help carry out the new government’s agenda effectively.
Following her departure, Labour will still face questions over the lack of direct governing experience in Downing Street.
However, it is likely too early to claim that the government has been “thrown into chaos” as some Conservatives have suggested. Whilst this is far from an ideal start for Labour, the fact that Starmer identified a conflict within his team and acted swiftly to resolve it shows that he wants to lead an effective government and that he is willing to be ruthless to do so. We will likely have to wait and if see if removing Sue Gray was the right decision.
Joseph James
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