Keir Starmer faced a significant political challenge this week when Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar demanded his resignation following the departure of his chief of staff and top spin doctor. Starmer’s position was at risk, but his team’s concerted efforts, including setting up a ‘war room’ in No10 and rallying support from Cabinet members and potential leadership contenders like Angela Rayner and Wes Streeting, helped him weather the storm.
While Starmer’s authority was weakened, his leadership survived the ordeal. As Parliament went into recess on Thursday, Downing Street took a breather. Special advisers convened for an “away day” on Friday to initiate a government reset.
The meeting, led by women including Amy Richards and acting joint chiefs of staff Vidhya Alakeson and Jill Cuthbertson, aimed to shift focus towards addressing people’s concerns outside Westminster, particularly the rising cost of living. The government sought to move past recent turmoil and pave the way for a new phase in Starmer’s crisis-affected administration.
Despite the challenges, Starmer remains under pressure to demonstrate responsiveness to his party. The upcoming release of files related to Lord Mandelson’s appointment as US ambassador poses further risks. Amid negative publicity, the government’s efforts to tackle the cost of living may face distractions.
Electoral tests loom ahead, with the Gorton and Denton by-election on February 26 and the May 7 elections across the UK presenting critical moments for the Prime Minister. While some believe Starmer is currently secure, others predict ongoing challenges ahead. The recent outreach efforts by the Prime Minister have been met with mixed reactions, providing a temporary respite amidst turbulent times.