There is nothing new about clashes of egos in the heart of Whitehall but when jobs are in danger this looks like destructive self-indulgence
Reports of feuding in the heart of Government have weakened Sir Keir Starmer (Image: PA)
Sir Keir Starmer would not be fighting for his political life if millions of Britons were were not worried the cost of living, threats to their jobs and the prospect of new tax raids by Rachel Reeves. Reports of rows at the heart of Government are not the reason at least half the country thinks the Prime Minister should quit. Voters would shrug their shoulders at stories of giant egos colliding in Whitehall if this did not fuel fears ministers are distracted and out of their depth as unemployment climbs and growth withers.
The UK economy grew by a miserable 0.1% in the three months to September. Workers throughout Britain understand the dangers that come with long-term stagnation.
Even if an economy avoids outright recession, jobs will go if a country fails to grow because businesses will make efficiencies and technology will allow companies to get by with fewer staff.
The first duty of a Government is not to make things worse. But if Sir Keir’s Government piles more costs onto employers through higher taxes and the boosting of trade union rights pioneered by Angela Rayner then it will be even harder for people to find a job when they need one.
Voters are quickly concluding that a Government which made growth a top priority is failing. YouGov this week found 51% of people think Sir Keir should stand down – with only 46% of people who voted Labour saying he should stay on as leader.
After pummelling businesses with a shock increase in National Insurance contributions last year Ms Reeves told MPs the Government would “never need to do another Budget like this again” and “we are not going to be coming back with more tax increases”.
If the Chancellor this month breaks the cast-iron manifesto pledge not to increase income tax then voters will conclude the Treasury does not know what it is doing and Britons will be worse off for years to come.
This is a dreadful time for a Government to dissolve into gang warfare.
Sir Tony Blair’s wingman in Downing Street, Alastair Campbell, spoke for many Labour sympathisers when he blasted today’s politicos on the airwaves, saying “somebody has made a strategic decision, ‘Let’s try and whack Wes Streeting’”.
Brits who have watched The Thick of It know Whitehall is full of feuds. (Image: BBC)
Citizens are not shocked by tales of tensions at the heart of Government. The turf wars of the Blair-Brown era were a national soap opera and ministerial mayhem has inspired entertainment ranging from Yes, Minister and House of Cards to The Thick of It.
The country kept voting Sir Tony’s New Labour team back into office so long as the economy was in rude health. But voters will be incensed if senior politicians are “whacking” one another when public services are in chaos and the Treasury is draining cash from households and businesses.
If Sir Keir wants to keep his job he must show Britons he is fighting to keep them in theirs.
