The fragile operation in Downing Street is in meltdown over the welfare bill rebellion. It’s not pretty…
Downing Street sources report that it is an “angry building” this morning and point the finger squarely at chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and political director Claire Reynolds. Reynolds was appointed in late October last year to serve primarily as a liaison between No10, MPs, and the party in general. Co-conspirators can see how that has gone – Reynolds is blamed for poor and infrequent engagement work…
When it comes to the policy operation McSweeney is taking the blame for repeatedly exposing Starmer before an inevitable U-turn. Seen a few of those already…
There is a blame game currently ongoing in which the No10 staff are attacking the whips, who are in turn pointing the finger at the political office for their long knowledge and no action ahead of a potential rebellion. Guido hears the problem has been exacerbated by the fact that senior No10 staff attempted to resolve the growing backbench rebellion without informing Starmer first. As a result of their efforts the revolt only grew…
A Downing Street source tells Guido: “We will have to climb down… total car crash.” Starmer is faced with another humiliation. Guido hears he is minded to rejig the No10 SpAd operation at the same time as he executes a reshuffle…
Former leader of the SNP in Westminster Ian Blackford told Times Radio why he believes Nicola Sturgeon’s claim that she spent no time in the kitchen and therefore didn’t see any of her husband’s purchases:
“She doesn’t have a passion for cooking.”