Starmer has 'completely lost grip', warn Labour grandees

MILLIE COOKE

- MILLIE COOKE

Sir Keir Starmer is under growing pressure as Labour heavyweights warned he has lost his grip on the political narrative after he was forced to accept the resignation of his chief of staff over the weekend. Sue Gray stepped down on Sunday to take on a new role for the government.

Harriet Harman, the former Labour deputy leader, said the turmoil that culminated in her resignation has been “uncomfortable” for the prime minister, warning that nobody wants to see political infighting on the front pages of newspapers.

Alastair Campbell, who was Tony Blair’s communications chief in No 10, denied that the current situation is a “complete irrecoverable shambles”, but warned: “You cannot make too many missteps in government.” He said: “Government is harder than opposition. Labour governments are held to a much higher standard than Tory governments. I hope this is the reset that is needed”.

Mr Campbell said the “winter fuel announcement dropping out of the sky” is an example of Labour not talking to the country. “You add that to the freebies stuff it again spoke against the narrative with which they won the election which was all very high standards in public life,” he added.