Sir Keir Starmer’s government has not yet been in place for 100 days. By all accounts, things are not going well.
The Labour leader and his top ministers have had to backtrack after taking freebies totalling many thousands of pounds for clothing and entertainment. Sue Gray, the ex-civil servant he recruited as chief of staff, has accepted a salary larger than the prime minister while standing accused of cutting the pay of more junior special advisers coming into government.
The biggest announcement the government has made yet – cutting winter fuel payments for most pensioners – was poorly presented, coinciding with big pay rises for public sector trade unionists and leading to a rebellion by Labour MPs. So far, eight of them have either been suspended or resigned the whip. Labour is dropping in opinion polls. Meanwhile, the prime minister often seems defensive and belligerent when interviewed and at a loose end at important gatherings.
It is still early days. None of these teething troubles directly threaten a government that commands an overwhelming majority in the House of Commons. But there is universal agreement ranging from Sir Keir’s friends to his political foes that he needs to get a grip on running the country, starting with appointing the best people as his senior advisers and officials.
The historian Sir Anthony Seldon, the author of a series of books on prime ministers in 10 Downing Street, warns “Starmer needs to act quickly. He has been naive and complacent on staff appointments. Get it right now and he can fly.”
This week a major opportunity presented itself. The cabinet secretary, Sir Simon Case, at last announced he will step down at the end of this year. The man or woman who fills his shoes will be vital in properly…
