Labour's Downing Street Turmoil Deepens as Starmer Faces Cabinet Revolt
The political landscape within Downing Street has descended into a war of attrition, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer finding himself increasingly isolated as key figures resign and cabinet ministers withdraw their public support. The ongoing scandal surrounding Peter Mandelson's appointment as UK ambassador to Washington has triggered a cascade of resignations and internal criticism, leaving Starmer's leadership in a precarious position.
Resignations and Retreating Support
On Sunday, Morgan McSweeney, Starmer's chief of staff, resigned over the Mandelson appointment controversy. This was followed on Monday by Tim Allan, No 10's head of communications, who stepped down without providing substantial explanation. These departures represent what appears to be a defensive maneuver by staff attempting to shield the Prime Minister from mounting criticism, though their resignations have done little to stabilize the situation.
The crisis deepened significantly when Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, became the most prominent party figure to publicly demand Starmer's resignation. Sarwar argued that Labour would have a marginally better chance in the upcoming May elections without Starmer at the helm, though he offered no alternative candidate. This public challenge from within Labour's own ranks marked a significant escalation in the leadership crisis.
Cabinet Ministers' Shifting Positions
Monday morning revealed a startling development: not a single cabinet minister could be found to publicly defend Starmer. This conspicuous absence of support left the Prime Minister appearing increasingly abandoned within his own government. The task of facing media scrutiny fell to junior minister Jacqui Smith, who struggled to explain the contradictory positions of McSweeney resigning for giving poor advice while Starmer remained in office despite making the controversial decision.
By afternoon, however, a remarkable reversal occurred. Several cabinet ministers including Yvette Cooper, Darren Jones, Bridget Phillipson, Ed Miliband, Peter Kyle, and Pat McFadden suddenly emerged with public declarations of support for Starmer on social media. This abrupt shift from silence to vocal backing suggested a coordinated effort to contain the crisis, though the timing raised questions about the sincerity of their support.
The Mandelson Controversy and Political Amnesia
The scandal centers on Peter Mandelson's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, which was a matter of public record long before his appointment as ambassador. Remarkably, almost no one in any political party or media outlet raised concerns about these connections during the appointment process. This collective amnesia has now given way to widespread revisionism as politicians scramble to distance themselves from the controversy.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has particularly embraced this revisionist approach, claiming credit for exposing Mandelson's Epstein connections despite the information being publicly available for years. Her assertions during media appearances have been met with astonishment by political observers, including BBC presenter Nick Robinson, who noted the disconnect between her claims and the established timeline of events.
Parliamentary Response and Future Implications
In Parliament, Darren Jones delivered a statement on standards in public life, announcing plans to remove rogue peers from the Lords and implement tighter vetting procedures. However, critics noted that these measures would not have prevented the Mandelson appointment, since all relevant information about his Epstein connections was already publicly available. The government's response has been characterized as addressing symptoms rather than the underlying issues of judgment and accountability.
Shadow minister Neil O'Brien observed that the government appears to be collapsing and called for Starmer's resignation, while Emily Thornberry suggested the crisis could have been avoided if the foreign affairs committee had been allowed to question Mandelson before his appointment. These criticisms highlight the growing consensus that the government's handling of the situation has been fundamentally flawed.
The current crisis represents the culmination of warnings from Labour's left wing about the direction of Starmerism. With cabinet support appearing fragile and public confidence eroding, the Prime Minister faces the most significant challenge of his leadership. The coming days will determine whether he can rally his party or whether the internal pressures will prove insurmountable, potentially reshaping the British political landscape in the process.
