Labour did not adequately prepare for the responsibilities of governing ahead of the 2024 general election, according to Morgan McSweeney, Keir Starmer's former chief of staff. McSweeney, who held the position until February of this year, stated in a BBC interview that the party had "not done enough to prepare for Government."
He also conceded that Labour should have projected a more optimistic outlook during its initial months in power. McSweeney specifically cited the decision to cut winter fuel payments for pensioners, a move later reversed, as having "defined the Government in a way that did us a lot of damage." Another issue he highlighted was the controversy surrounding Sir Keir's acceptance of gifts from Labour donor Lord Alli, referring to it as a "freebies" row that harmed the government's early standing.
McSweeney reflected on his own realization of the lack of preparation while working in windowless rooms in early 2024, planning for "day one." He suggested the party underestimated the complexities of the current global era, which he views as significantly different from previous periods when Labour held power. "We didn't have enough conversations at the top of the party about what that meant, how to prepare for it, what that meant for the state," he said, emphasizing the need to deliver tangible change quickly for public approval.
McSweeney resigned from his role after advocating for Lord Mandelson's appointment as Britain's ambassador to the U.S. He expressed optimism about Andy Burnham potentially succeeding Sir Keir as Labour leader and Prime Minister, particularly supporting Burnham's proposal for a "No10 North" Downing Street team based in Manchester. McSweeney believes having leaders who live outside of London would benefit the government.
During the interview, McSweeney also recounted an anecdote about Donald Trump's first phone call with Keir Starmer, during which the then-U.S. President reportedly made a joke about "fat foxes" and windmills. Officials in the room, McSweeney noted, found the remark amusing.
Sir Keir is widely expected to be replaced by Andy Burnham, who recently won the Makerfield by-election. Burnham has been reserved about his specific government plans, having left a recent speech without taking media questions. McSweeney's admissions about Starmer's administration's preparedness may raise questions about Burnham's ability to transition into leadership effectively. McSweeney stressed that the lack of preparation was not attributable to a single individual but rather a broader issue within the Labour Party.