Why McSweeney's departure could prove perilous for the PM

"He completely avoids the TV cameras and photographers who lurk around Whitehall at times of political crisis. Yet the elusive Irishman's sudden departure as Sir Keir Starmer's top aide - a result of his fateful advice in autumn 2024 that Lord Mandelson should be the UK's ambassador to Washington - leaves the prime minister exposed in a way that might not be immediately clear."

"In the Corbyn years when control of Labour had been lost to the left, McSweeney polled party members and decided that the lawyer and shadow Brexit secretary was his best chance for wrestling back control of his party. In what some claim was an elaborate and perfectly-executed deception, McSweeney managed to persuade pro-Corbyn party members that Sir Keir was one of them. And after winning the leadership, Sir Keir purged many Corbynites - including the former leader himself"

"Unlike almost all relationships between prime minister and adviser, Sir Keir did not choose McSweeney - it was arguably the other way around. In an echo of Boris Johnson's adviser Dominic Cummings, McSweeney is credited with masterminding a general election landslide yet blamed for turbulence and U-turns once in government. He is also accused of presiding over a 'boys' club' atmosphere at No 10, with some MPs now suggesting a full cultural reset is needed rather than just one change of personnel."

Morgan McSweeney operated as a low-profile but highly influential adviser at the centre of Labour strategy for more than a decade. He avoided public exposure while shaping campaigning instincts from local government to national elections and polled party members during the Corbyn years to build support for Keir Starmer. McSweeney helped engineer a leadership victory and a centrist pivot that followed widespread purges of Corbynites. He earned credit for a general election landslide and faced blame for subsequent governmental turbulence and U-turns, along with accusations of fostering a 'boys' club' culture at No 10. His departure after advising on Lord Mandelson's Washington appointment leaves the prime minister exposed and prompts questions about succession and cultural change.

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