Sir Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, has admitted that the Labour Party failed to adequately prepare for governing before its landslide victory in the 2024 general election, describing the lack of planning as a major factor behind the government’s struggles in office.
Speaking publicly for the first time in an interview on the BBC’s Political Thinking with Nick Robinson podcast, McSweeney said Labour underestimated the challenges of taking power in a dramatically different political and economic landscape from the one it last governed in during the late 1990s.
“We didn’t prepare enough for what kind of world we were going to,” he said, adding that Labour had not held enough discussions about how changing global and domestic conditions would affect governing. He argued that the party lacked a clear strategy for delivering visible improvements quickly enough to meet voters’ expectations after years in opposition.
McSweeney, who directed Labour’s successful 2024 election campaign before becoming Starmer’s head of political strategy, acknowledged that many within the party had expected Labour to lose another election before returning to power. As a result, he said, preparations focused more on the possibility of defeat than on the realities of governing.
He recalled realizing during planning meetings in early 2024 that Labour had not done enough to prepare for office. While former senior civil servant Sue Gray, who led pre-election government preparations, has faced criticism over Labour’s readiness, McSweeney insisted responsibility rested with the party as a whole.
“When I say we weren’t prepared, I really do mean the Labour Party more generally,” he said. “I take my own responsibilities for that, rather than blaming one person.”
Reflecting on Labour’s first months in government, McSweeney also admitted that the administration made significant political mistakes. He said ministers focused too heavily on highlighting the poor state of the public finances inherited from the Conservatives instead of presenting a more optimistic vision for the country.
One of the biggest errors, he said, was the controversial decision to restrict winter fuel payments for millions of pensioners. Although he defended the principle of means-testing the benefit, he acknowledged that the income threshold had been set too low and that the policy ultimately damaged the government’s public image before it was later reversed.
He also conceded that Labour’s reputation suffered from early controversies over gifts and donations received by ministers, including clothing and other benefits accepted by Starmer while in opposition. McSweeney suggested such campaign-related expenses should have been funded directly by the Labour Party rather than through private donors.
During the wide-ranging interview, McSweeney also shared lighter reflections on international politics. Recalling an early phone conversation between Starmer and U.S. President Donald Trump, he described Trump as “much funnier than I expected,” recounting a humorous story the president told about foxes becoming overweight from eating birds killed by wind turbines.
Looking ahead to Labour’s future, McSweeney expressed support for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, whom he believes is well placed to succeed Starmer as Labour leader. He also endorsed Burnham’s proposal to establish a Downing Street office in Manchester, arguing that having senior government officials based outside London would help make national policymaking more representative of the wider country.
Having stepped away from frontline politics following his resignation earlier this year, McSweeney said he has no plans to return in the near future.
“I’m committing to being out of politics for at least the next few years ahead,” he said, adding that he now intends to pursue a completely different professional path.
Source: BBC News
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