Sue Gray resigns as Keir Starmer’s chief of staff
Updated 8:15 PM Oct. 6, 2024
Sue Gray has resigned as Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, saying she “risked becoming a distraction”.
The former civil servant said she had accepted a new role as the Prime Minister’s envoy for the regions and nations after a controversial three-month tenure in Downing Street. She will be replaced by Morgan McSweeney.
Ms Gray had endured months of hostile briefings as chief of staff amid concerns from rival Labour figures that she wielded too much power over No 10. Her salary, which was £3,000 more than that of Sir Keir, was also leaked to the press.
She said in a statement: “After leading the Labour party’s preparation for government and kickstarting work on our programme for change, I am looking forward to drawing on my experience to support the Prime Minister and the Cabinet to help deliver the government’s objectives across the nations and regions of the UK.
Ms Gray added: “Throughout my career my first interest has always been public service. However in recent weeks it has become clear to me that intense commentary around my position risked becoming a distraction to the government’s vital work of change.
“It is for that reason I have chosen to stand aside, and I look forward to continuing to support the Prime Minister in my new role.”
Sir Keir said: “I want to thank Sue for all the support she has given me, both in opposition and government, and her work to prepare us for government and get us started on our programme of change.
“Sue has played a vital role in strengthening our relations with the regions and nations. I am delighted that she will continue to support that work.”
‘Starmer will disappoint if he sticks to McSweeney’s plans’
Morgan McSweeney is a fascinating man, writes Tim Stanley. Born in Ireland, he was involved in local government fights against the BNP and the far-Left. He opposed Corbyn but also rejected Blairism as elitist. Blue Labour is more his style.
Under the stewardship of McSweeney and Pat McFadden, Labour has become a class-conscious party that wishes to be seen as understanding and acting upon real-world concerns - even if it contradicts the liberal instincts of Keir’s London circle.
Having dumped the Rwanda policy, for example, Labour has to prove this doesn’t mean it is wet on immigration - which means beefing up border enforcement. Boat numbers must fall.
Put crudely, new New Labour will talk like Justin Welby but govern like Nigel Farage. This is the opposite of the Tories, who frequently spouted Right-wing platitudes - reduce immigration, lower taxes - while acting like the Left.
There are obvious problems. One is that such a large parliamentary majority will contain a wide range of opinions: landslides breed dissent. The 2001 parliament, under Blair and during Iraq, was one of the most rebellious in modern history, with Labour MPs voting against the government 21 per cent of the time.