Chris Mason: Unpicking a messy day for the government

In the wake of recent internal disputes and public disagreements within the government, a senior official candidly admitted to me, “It’s not been our finest 24 hours in government.” Over the past few days, through numerous conversations, I’ve pieced together what those close to the Prime Minister initially aimed to accomplish, the reality of events as they unfolded, and the uncertain position this leaves them in moving forward.

At the core of the turmoil are two undeniable facts: both the government itself and the Prime Minister face significant unpopularity. These challenges fuel ongoing discussions, not only about Labour’s strategies but also about the potential duration of Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership at Downing Street. Against this backdrop, tensions have escalated, culminating in a series of events that have drawn sharp scrutiny and criticism, both openly in the press and behind closed doors.

On Wednesday evening, an attempt at reconciliation was made when the Prime Minister spoke on the phone with Health Secretary Wes Streeting. The call, which was brief, saw Sir Keir apologise, and both agreed to continue their conversations soon. However, the discussion did not touch upon Morgan McSweeney, the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, who has become a focal point for blame from various quarters. McSweeney, recognized for orchestrating Labour’s recent election success and steering Sir Keir’s rapid ascent after leaving his role as Director of Public Prosecutions, has also been a target of harsh criticism whenever the government’s operations falter. Despite calls for his removal, McSweeney has remained silent on the issue.

Some within the government maintain that no insider initiated leaks against any cabinet minister, even as Streeting demanded the dismissal of those responsible. Notably, the Health Secretary faced a demanding round of pre-arranged interviews on Wednesday morning with composure, humor, and skill, despite being repeatedly questioned about his personal political ambitions following recent critical briefings. Many Labour MPs admired his communication prowess, wishing the Prime Minister could match that same level of dexterity. Ironically, the efforts by Downing Street to support the Prime Minister only served to amplify Streeting’s outspoken critique of the toxic and sexist environment allegedly fostered within the government, along with his call for the removal of those involved in the damaging briefings.

Reports indicate that the Prime Minister is “incandescent” about how the situation has unfolded and is investigating the circumstances that led to it. From the perspective of Number 10, two main issues went awry: the volume and the focus of the media coverage. Initially, they anticipated that the briefings would generate some attention, but not the overwhelming, relentless headlines that ensued. Given that this turbulence erupted less than 18 months after a decisive electoral victory, it was always going to command prominent headlines and media coverage. Furthermore, those inside Number 10 had not expected Wes Streeting to dominate the narrative, especially with the numerous interviews he gave on Wednesday morning—though some observers believe that was the intention all along.

As more days pass, many within the Labour government reflect on the lessons to be learned, while backbenchers grow increasingly frustrated at having to observe and defend what they regard as a farcical sequence of events. Neither role is one they relish. However, a government and Prime Minister anxious about their dwindling popularity and vulnerable majority will likely face similar upheavals unless they can swiftly tackle the deep-rooted issues that continue to undermine their standing

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