Starmer isolated by leadership failures

TL;DR

Starmer's Leadership: Tom McTague argues Keir Starmer's premiership fails due to no plan, factionalism, and poor judgment shown in handling Peter Mandelson's US ambassador appointment.[[1]](https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/labour/2026/04/keir-starmer-is-all-alone)
Mandelson Vetting: Starmer announced Mandelson's role in late 2024 despite warnings, ignored due diligence risks, and sacked civil servant Olly Robbins after vetting revelations emerged.[[1]](https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/labour/2026/04/keir-starmer-is-all-alone)[[2]](https://apnews.com/article/britain-starmer-mandelson-9c8ddb3f8269cf21c477d6597b74842b)
Political Paralysis: Labour insiders see Starmer as unable to lead amid No 10 infighting involving Sue Gray's sacking and Morgan McSweeney's empowerment, leaving the party passive.[[1]](https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/labour/2026/04/keir-starmer-is-all-alone)

The story at a glance

Tom McTague's analysis portrays Prime Minister Keir Starmer as isolated and ineffective, using the recent flare-up over Peter Mandelson's failed vetting for US ambassador as evidence of deeper leadership flaws. Key figures include Starmer, his ex-chief of staff Morgan McSweeney who pushed the appointment, sacked chief of staff Sue Gray, and Foreign Office head Olly Robbins whom Starmer dismissed. This is reported now amid April 2026 parliamentary scrutiny and poor Labour polling ahead of May elections.[[1]](https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/labour/2026/04/keir-starmer-is-all-alone)

Key points

Starmer entered office in 2024 without an ideological plan, aiming for "grown-up" professional government over partisan games.
No 10 factionalism arose: Sue Gray gripped operations as chief of staff but was sacked amid complaints and leaks; Morgan McSweeney then took political control.
McSweeney, with Mandelson's shadow help, drove an agenda Starmer lukewarmly backed; Blair advised but viewed Starmer as useless.
Late 2024: Starmer appointed Mandelson US ambassador on McSweeney's advice to handle Trump, despite Simon Case's warning to vet first.
Cabinet Office due diligence uncovered risks, but Starmer announced anyway; Olly Robbins rushed vetting, deemed risks manageable despite "borderline" result.
Mandelson served until sacked in September 2025 over Epstein ties; 2026 revelations led Starmer to fire Robbins on 16 April for not informing him of initial vetting concerns.
MPs, ministers, and officials repeatedly tell McTague that Starmer "is failing" and "cannot do the job," yet Labour remains inert.[[1]](https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/labour/2026/04/keir-starmer-is-all-alone)

Details and context

McTague traces Starmer's troubles to his entry into No 10, where lack of vision let factions—Gray's machine vs McSweeney's politics—tear the operation apart. Starmer sacked Gray for grip without direction, then relied on McSweeney despite reservations from his friends and party, setting a pattern of reactive dependence.

The Mandelson saga exemplifies this: announced in December 2024 "without caveats" to beat Trump's January 2025 inauguration, despite Case's pre-vetting advice and due diligence flags on Mandelson's past (twice-resigned minister, Epstein links). Robbins battled No 10 for process, approved amid "national interest," but Starmer later blamed him.

McTague, drawing private talks, sees UK politics in "fatal passivity" like post-Brexit shock—insiders know Starmer fails but hesitate on timing or replacement amid May elections.

Key quotes

“I should let the civil service know so they could ‘develop a plan for them to acquire the necessary security clearances… before confirming your choice’.” – Simon Case's warning to Starmer, ignored.[[1]](https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/labour/2026/04/keir-starmer-is-all-alone)

“The vetters were leaning towards rejecting him.” – Olly Robbins to MPs on Mandelson's vetting.[[1]](https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/labour/2026/04/keir-starmer-is-all-alone)

Why it matters

Starmer's inability to build coalitions or wield power exposes Labour to inertia, risking governance paralysis like post-Brexit stasis. Voters and MPs see a leader holding others accountable but not himself, eroding trust amid economic woes and elections. Watch May local results and any leadership moves from figures like Andy Burnham, though party paralysis may delay action.[[1]](https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/labour/2026/04/keir-starmer-is-all-alone)

What changed

No 10 started with Sue Gray imposing non-political control; factionalism led Starmer to sack her, empowering Morgan McSweeney for direction; this occurred in Starmer's early months post-July 2024 entry.[[1]](https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/labour/2026/04/keir-starmer-is-all-alone)

Mandelson appointment rushed without full vetting in late 2024; vetting later borderline-passed despite leans to reject; Starmer sacked Olly Robbins in April 2026 over withheld details.[[1]](https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/labour/2026/04/keir-starmer-is-all-alone)

FAQ

Q: Why did Starmer appoint Peter Mandelson despite risks?

A: McTague reports Starmer followed Morgan McSweeney's advice amid Trump fears, ignoring Simon Case's pre-vetting warning and Cabinet Office due diligence on Mandelson's past. He announced in December 2024 to install him for Trump's early 2025 term. Robbins rushed process under No 10 pressure.[[1]](https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/labour/2026/04/keir-starmer-is-all-alone)

Q: What caused No 10 factionalism under Starmer?

A: Gray as chief of staff gripped machine without plan, sidelining McSweeney who fought back with Mandelson's help; ministers complained, leaks spread; Starmer sacked Gray, pattern of reacting without vision.[[1]](https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/labour/2026/04/keir-starmer-is-all-alone)

Q: How did Olly Robbins handle Mandelson's vetting?

A: Robbins told MPs vetting was borderline, vetters leaned reject but risks deemed manageable for national interest; he battled No 10 for process and granted clearance. Starmer sacked him April 2026 for not flagging failure.[[1]](https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/labour/2026/04/keir-starmer-is-all-alone)

Q: What do insiders say about Starmer's leadership?

A: McTague hears repeatedly from MPs, ministers, officials: Starmer "is failing," "not doing the job," "cannot do the job," yet party stays passive without move against him.[[1]](https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/labour/2026/04/keir-starmer-is-all-alone)