I don’t think that the resignation of Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney makes life any easier for the Prime Minister – in fact it could make the PM’s political predicament even worse.
Here’s five reasons why:
1) Sir Keir Starmer has lost his political fireguard and political brain, who had guided a not very political PM on how to take the fight to Reform UK, a resurgent Tories and a confident Green Party.
And the PM needs him now more than ever, with big tests coming up in a by-election this month and elections for devolved administration and councils in May.
2) McSweeney’s decision to quit will put pressure on others who advised the PM to bring back Mandelson.
Will the “high tens of thousands” of vetting documents into that decision reveal their identities? And will they jump too?
After all, McSweeney suggests he was not alone in advising the PM to hire Mandelson. “When asked, I advised the Prime Minister to make that appointment and I take full responsibility for that advice,” he says.
Who else was asked? What did they say? Careers in Government hang on the answers.
Chris Hope has had his say on the future of both men
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PA
3) Why did Pat McFadden tell broadcasters this morning that McSweeney was staying – only for him to resign hours later?
Why did McSweeney not hang on a couple of days for a successor to be announced at the same time?
There is now no chief of staff, and Number 10 will not say who is replacing him.
Number 10 sources insist the PM and McSweeney made the decision jointly.
Morgan McSweeney has resigned | GETTY
4) McSweeney acted as a fireguard for the PM, shielding him from criticism over the Mandelson affair.
Now he has has gone, the Prime Minister is more exposed than ever.
His importance can be seen in the fact that Number 10 has made clear late afternoon that the “Government policy agenda has not changed – a relentless focus on cost of living and a determination to deliver a more prosperous country based on providing opportunity, security and respect for all”, nor has its “economic strategy”.
5) Sir Keir Starmer will update the country as soon as tomorrow on how he will learn lessons from the Mandelson revelations.
The pressure will be immense. It will be the biggest moment of his time as PM.
His future depends on a strong performance.