PM's new chief of staff plans 'radical changes'

Keir Starmer's new chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, is preparing to make "radical changes" to the Downing Street operation as the prime minister seeks to shrug off internal rows and put a tumultuous period behind him.

- Pippa Crerar

No 10 sources said "nothing was off the table" when it came to ensuring the machinery of government was fit for purpose, heralding a slew of changes that could reshape the Downing Street organisation.

This could include recasting different teams inside No 10, resolving the pay dispute with special advisers and potentially further bolstering the political side of the operation with more appointments.

McSweeney would take a more data-led approach to decisionmaking, sources said. "The day-to-day machinery of government doesn't work properly. Morgan has a different view on how to do things. He's nothing if not the agent of change," said one senior source.

"He will have to be radical. Nothing is off the table. There has to be a better way of doing things." Downing Street insiders played down the prospect of an imminent cabinet reshuffle despite reports that McSweeney could push for one, adding that he did not believe the government's recent woes were the fault of ministers and wanted to "see what works first".

There was trepidation among allies of some cabinet ministers who had been close to Sue Gray, the ousted former chief of staff, about their positions longer term. However, Starmer is understood to believe that previous governments moved ministers around too frequently.

McSweeney, who was 12 the mastermind of Labour's election victory, was appointed chief of staff by Starmer on Sunday as he moved to shore up his top team after months of rows and infighting, leading to the departure of Gray.