Labour's Soft Left Tribune Group Urges Starmer to Reshuffle Cabinet Amid Infighting
The powerful soft left caucus within the Labour Party has publicly called for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to conduct a significant cabinet reshuffle to put an end to damaging factional infighting that has plagued the government. The Tribune group, which represents more than 100 Labour MPs, has specifically suggested the return of prominent figures including Angela Rayner, Louise Haigh, and Lucy Powell to key positions.
Pressure Mounts on Starmer's Leadership Team
For months, the Tribune group has privately advocated for the departure of Starmer's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, who officially resigned on Sunday. Many within the group had anticipated calling for McSweeney's resignation following the May elections, alongside demands for a comprehensive cabinet reshuffle and a substantial reset of economic policy as conditions for their continued support of Starmer's leadership.
In a formal statement released during a day of political turmoil, the group declared that launching a leadership contest would be "wrong and counterproductive", though they notably refrained from offering Starmer their personal endorsement. The statement emphasized that now is the time for the prime minister to demonstrate his commitment to a new way of governing.
Key Figures Behind the Tribune Group's Position
The Tribune group is led by former cabinet minister Louise Haigh, alongside former whip Vicky Foxcroft, former minister Justin Madders, select committee chair Sarah Owen, Yuan Yang, and Beccy Cooper. These leaders collectively represent a significant portion of Labour's parliamentary membership and have expressed growing frustration with the government's direction.
Their statement acknowledged that "this Labour government has begun the serious work of changing the country and delivering the national renewal we promised voters in 2024", but cautioned that deviations from Labour values have led to errors. The majority of MPs within the group opposed last year's proposed welfare cuts and have criticized Starmer for losing focus on the cost of living crisis.
Demands for Broader Representation and Quicker Change
The Tribune group argued that the public rightly expects "change to be felt more quickly" and that Starmer should appoint a cabinet that reflects this urgency, particularly regarding economic policy and living standards. They insisted that the cabinet must "reflect the breadth of views across the parliamentary Labour party and the diverse traditions that make up our movement".
This demand for greater inclusivity comes amid concerns that Starmer's current team does not adequately represent the full spectrum of Labour's ideological traditions, potentially undermining party unity and policy effectiveness.
Turmoil Within Labour Ranks
The Tribune group's statement capped a day of significant turmoil within Labour ranks. In addition to McSweeney's resignation, the prime minister's communications chief, Tim Allan, also departed. Meanwhile, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called publicly for Starmer to resign, creating further instability.
Across Westminster, many MPs believed Sarwar's intervention was part of a coordinated operation to remove Starmer that ultimately failed to materialize. Plans for ministerial resignations following Sarwar's call reportedly crumbled, leaving many parliamentarians baffled and angry about the timing and execution of the challenge.
Mixed Reactions and Strategic Calculations
One senior Labour source suggested Sarwar would not have made such a move without coordination, stating: "There is no way he would do this without it being coordinated." Ironically, some critics of Starmer believe Sarwar's premature move may have actually strengthened the prime minister's position by galvanizing support among wavering MPs.
A Scottish MP summarized the dilemma facing Starmer's critics: "Keir cannot lead us into the next election but there is no point in moving until we know where we are going." This sentiment reflects the strategic uncertainty within Labour ranks about potential successors and alternative directions for the party.
Social Media Show of Support and Last Chance Warnings
Dozens of MPs, including many who have privately criticized Starmer's leadership, posted effusive support for the prime minister on social media platforms following the day's events. Scottish MPs expressed particular dismay at Sarwar's premature move, which some believe may have backfired strategically.
One loyal minister observed: "I think some colleagues saw what the moment of betrayal might look like and baulked. It looked absolutely mad. It has given a lot of people pause. I hope they give the prime minister a reprieve now to attempt to rebuild his team and to rebuild trust. Everyone knows it's the last chance."
The Tribune group's carefully calibrated statement—pressing for significant changes while stopping short of calling for Starmer's removal—reflects the complex balancing act facing Labour's soft left as they seek to influence government direction without triggering a potentially destructive leadership contest that could further destabilize the party.
