Sir Keir Starmer’s Chief Whip, Jonathan Reynolds, is believed to have told MPs he is unhappy in the role, just days before the Budget.
According to The i Paper, Mr Reynolds has admitted in conversations with opposition MPs that he does not want to remain as Chief Whip.
Party whips play a crucial role in ensuring colleagues vote in line and in managing relationships with backbench MPs.
The revelation comes amid speculation of growing discontent from backbenchers over family members of senior No10 figures being handed whip positions.
Mr Reynolds has admitted in conversations with opposition MPs that he does not want to remain as Chief Whip
|
PAOne Labour MP told the newspaper: “Jonny is openly telling people that he doesn’t want to be Chief Whip.
“How is that going to lead to an effective operation?”
Another said: “Jonny told Gavin Robinson [the deputy leader of the DUP] he didn’t want to be chief whip.
“We all know he hates the job.
“It’s all very well keeping it in the family, but why is he telling people outside of the party?”
Mr Reynolds has strongly denied being discontent in the position
|
GETTY
Another source admitted that Mr Reynolds, who was appointed to the role just two months ago, “would much rather not be Chief Whip”.
Mr Reynolds has strongly denied being discontent in the position, saying: “I believe delivering on the Government’s agenda in Parliament is one of the most important jobs in the Cabinet right now, and I am very much enjoying working with the PM and PLP colleagues to do that.
Government sources highlighted Mr Reynolds’ close working relationship with the Prime Minister, noting that the pair meet every day at 8.45am.
A No10 source told the newspaper: “The job is crucial to the success of this government, which is why the PM chose Jonny to do it.”
LABOUR PARTY CHAOS – READ THE LATEST:
Government sources highlighted Mr Reynolds’ close working relationship with the Prime Minister
|
GETTY
It comes as the Government hopes to avoid a rebellion from backbench MPs over Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s overhaul of the asylum system and upcoming welfare reforms.
Some MPs are reportedly dissatisfied that several family members of No 10 staff were appointed as whips in the latest reshuffle.
Among those appointed are Jake Richards and Gregor Poynton, the brother and husband of No 10’s director of politics, Amy Richards, respectively, and Imogen Walker, married to Sir Keir’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney.
A Labour MP said: “Everyone quite likes Imogen. They just think what was done to the whips’ office was self-destructive.
“People who have Imogen as their whip are not telling her anything. It’s not fair on her and it’s not good for the Government.
“I think it’s pretty dangerous what they did to the whips office.”
Another Labour backbencher said that “people don’t trust them and there has been significantly more aggro from them. It’s raised by colleagues frequently.”