Sir Keir Starmer's visit to north Wales on 13 November was meant to showcase his government's commitment to Britain's energy future. Instead, it revealed the deepening crisis at the heart of his administration.
The Prime Minister travelled to Coleg Menai to announce plans for a new nuclear power station, a significant policy with far-reaching implications for both local communities and national energy security. Yet rather than focusing on this important announcement, Starmer found himself embroiled in damage control over ongoing briefing rows within his own government.
Chaos at the Centre
The Labour leadership spent much of the day denying that Number 10 had briefed against the health secretary's ambitions, highlighting what critics describe as a pattern of dysfunction at the highest levels of government. This incident serves as a microcosm of Starmer's prime ministership - ambitious policy aims constantly undermined by political infighting and administrative chaos.
While Starmer wants his government to be seen tackling major issues like energy security, he's consistently unable to achieve this due to fundamental problems in how both he and the country approach politics and governance. The situation has reached a point where even sympathetic observers question whether the Prime Minister can effectively manage the machinery of government.
Personnel Problems and Structural Failures
Several issues plague the current administration, starting with what appears to be poor personnel decisions. Sir Keir's handling of key appointments has been characterised by dithering and constant changes that have created instability at the centre of power.
He hesitated before appointing Chris Wormald as cabinet secretary, installed Sue Gray as chief of staff only to replace her with Morgan McSweeney, and brought Darren Jones from the Treasury as chief secretary. Communications chiefs have changed frequently, while political and policy advisers have come and gone in what observers describe as "a mess."
Beyond individual appointments, deeper structural problems undermine government effectiveness. The Institute for Government's March 2024 report on reforming the centre of government outlined urgent changes needed, including restructuring the roles of the Cabinet Office and Number 10, and separating the jobs of cabinet secretary and civil service head. Starmer's failure to address these issues since taking office last July suggests he hasn't prioritised governmental reform.
A Pattern of Poor Priorities
Like many premiers before him, Starmer spends considerable time on foreign affairs when he should delegate more, while devoting insufficient attention to parliamentarians and public engagement. His media performances often compound these problems rather than solving them.
Perhaps most concerning is the Prime Minister's apparent surprise when political appointees - naturally drawn from party activism and possessing political ambitions - cross lines or become the story themselves. Morgan McSweeney's current situation mirrors the Dominic Cummings saga, suggesting lessons from previous administrations haven't been learned.
The fundamental issue remains that the political pre-eminence of prime ministers now far outstrips the support available to them. This imbalance means everything suffers, with important work either done poorly or neglected entirely.
While Starmer isn't solely responsible for this systemic failure - he inherits problems created by predecessors - those who hoped he would get a grip on the centre of government have been disappointed. The biggest loser in this ongoing crisis may ultimately be Sir Keir Starmer himself, as his ability to deliver on promises becomes increasingly compromised by administrative chaos.
