There are several key figures who wield significant influence within his administration:
Sue Gray, Starmer's chief of staff, has been accused of "thinking she runs the country" by Whitehall sources[3]. Her presence is seen as essential for navigating the Whitehall machine, given her experience in pulling levers of power[3].
Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has risen to prominence and is involved in a budding rivalry with Wes Streeting[2].
The Treasury itself is seen as a powerful force, especially with an austere Budget on the horizon[3].
Some critics argue that Labour has been "played by its union paymasters," suggesting union influence on government decisions[3]. However, it's important to note that these claims of external control are common for new governments and often reflect political rhetoric rather than reality.
Starmer's leadership style has been described as becoming tougher and more ruthless, particularly during the Gaza conflict[2]. He has been accused of overriding colleagues and even bullying the Commons Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, over a Palestine amendment[2].
Despite these various influences, Starmer's government has been criticized for lacking a clear defining vision or collective project[3]. The Prime Minister has struggled to establish a strong narrative for his administration, with some insiders calling for bolder initiatives beyond the current focus on fiscal discipline[5].
In summary, while Starmer is nominally in charge, his government's direction appears to be shaped by a combination of influential advisors, cabinet rivalries, and competing policy priorities, rather than a single dominating force[6].
Citations: [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starmer_ministry [2] https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/books/book-of-the-day/2025/02/there-is-no-such-thing-as-starmerism [3] https://www.newstatesman.com/the-politics-column/2024/08/keir-starmer-must-tell-better-story [4] https://www.instituteforgovernment.org.uk/comment/what-do-we-know-about-keir-starmers-ministers [5] https://www.newstatesman.com/thestaggers/2023/05/what-does-keir-starmer-stand-for [6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMtvEjoF4Ac [7] https://www.gov.uk/government/people/keir-starmer [8] https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/labour/2024/03/the-battle-for-keir-starmers-soul
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