Labour in Turmoil as Starmer's Top Aide Faces the Axe
Sir Keir Starmer's government is engulfed in a severe internal crisis following a disastrous attempt by his own team to quash rumours of a leadership challenge. The Prime Minister is facing mounting pressure to dismiss his Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney, after a pre-emptive briefing designed to ward off a potential coup spectacularly backfired.
The political firestorm erupted on Wednesday 12 November 2025, plunging Downing Street into a day of chaos that has raised profound questions about the government's stability and future. The botched move, which implicated Health Secretary Wes Streeting as a potential challenger, has been labelled an "epic own goal" by furious Labour MPs.
PM's Refusal to Back McSweeney Speaks Volumes
The gravity of the situation was laid bare during a bruising Prime Minister's Questions, where Tory leader Kemi Badenoch seized on the Labour disarray. Crucially, Sir Keir pointedly refused to offer his full and public backing to Mr McSweeney. When asked if he had confidence in his chief of staff, the Prime Minister stated his team was "absolutely focused on delivering for the country" but notably added, "of course I have never authorised attacks on cabinet members."
This lack of a firm endorsement has been widely interpreted as a sign that Mr McSweeney was responsible for the briefing and is now squarely in the line of fire. A senior Labour figure, when questioned about McSweeney's future, delivered a blunt one-word assessment: "Toast."
Wes Streeting, directly targeted by the briefing, responded by criticising a "toxic culture" in Number 10. Speaking at the NHS Providers conference in Manchester, the Health Secretary refuted claims he was planning a leadership bid. While refusing to "add to the toxic culture" by attacking individuals, he did acknowledge McSweeney's past role, stating, "there wouldn't be a Labour government without him."
A Deepening Crisis and Polling Woes
The fallout extends far beyond the corridors of power. New polling from YouGov, conducted on the same day, reveals the profound damage to the Prime Minister's standing. The survey found that 51 per cent of Britons believe Sir Keir should stand down as Labour leader, compared to just 27 per cent who think he should remain.
This episode marks another major blunder for McSweeney, who had already faced calls for his resignation after a previous error on welfare cuts provoked a significant backbench rebellion. However, his potential departure would be highly damaging for Sir Keir, who has already sacked his first chief of staff, Sue Gray, and cycled through three directors of communication in under 18 months.
Veteran communications strategist Alastair Campbell denounced the move as "cack-handed, stupid" and "utter madness," suggesting it was inconceivable Sir Keir was unaware of the briefing. He warned that unless the responsible party is "kicked out," such crises would recur.
Polling experts have framed the development as a disaster for the governing party. Lord Hayward stated it has plunged Labour into a state of "civil war" ahead of crucial local elections, distracting from the government's agenda. The chaos has even led to the creation of a www.wesforleader.com website template, further fuelling leadership speculation despite Streeting's denials.
As Downing Street scrambles to contain the damage, a veteran Labour MP summarised the sentiment of many: "What a shambles and own goal from No 10. They've literally created a story that wasn't needed and has backfired spectacularly." The botched briefing has not only failed in its objective but may have made a future challenge to Sir Keir's leadership more likely.
