Keir Starmer Scrambles for Damage Control as Explosive Book Exposes Aides’ Harsh Criticism of His Leadership

Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party in the UK, is facing serious criticism after a new book revealed that even his closest team members doubt his ability to lead. The book, written by journalists Patrick Maguire and Gabriel Pogrund, claims that some of Starmer’s top advisors have privately criticized him, saying he acts more like a middle manager than a true leader.

One of the most shocking claims comes from Starmer’s own Chief of Staff, Morgan McSweeney. McSweeney, who has worked closely with Starmer for years, reportedly said that Starmer behaves like an “HR manager” rather than a leader. He also admitted that he often didn’t know what Starmer really thought or whose advice he was listening to. This has raised questions about whether Starmer has a clear vision or direction for the Labour Party.

Another advisor made a harsh joke, comparing Starmer to someone sitting at the front of a driverless train. The joke refers to the Docklands Light Railway in London, which runs without a driver. The advisor suggested that Starmer thinks he’s in charge, but in reality, he’s not really leading anything.

Even former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who led Labour to three election victories, has reportedly criticized Starmer. Blair told a friend in 2021 that Starmer seems out of touch with ordinary people and doesn’t have strong political beliefs. Blair compared Starmer to Neil Kinnock, a former Labour leader who started on the left of politics and moved toward the center. Blair said Starmer doesn’t seem to have a clear starting point or direction.



The book also reveals a major conflict between Starmer and his deputy, Angela Rayner. After Labour lost a key election in Hartlepool, Starmer removed Rayner from her role as campaign chief. This decision angered Rayner and almost led to her trying to replace Starmer as leader. According to the book, Rayner was ready to launch a full-scale challenge against Starmer but decided not to after he gave her new roles and titles to calm the situation.

Rayner’s allies claimed they had the support of unions, activists, and even funding to remove Starmer in 2021. One of her close friends said, “We could have taken him out without a doubt.” Rayner herself privately criticized Starmer, saying he couldn’t even “run a bath, let alone lead the opposition.”



Some Labour members and former MPs agree with the criticism in the book. They say Starmer lacks a clear vision and focus, and is more interested in bureaucratic details than leading effectively. For example, the book claims that during his time as Labour leader, Starmer was often disinterested in important meetings and focused too much on rules and procedures rather than inspiring people with big ideas.

One incident described in the book shows Starmer struggling to explain his father’s job as a toolmaker. When asked about it, Starmer seemed reluctant to talk about it, leading one MP to say, “Most people don’t know what a lathe is, Keir, so you’re going to have to explain!”



Despite the criticism, some Labour figures have defended Starmer. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said Starmer has a “real determination to change the country” and is focused on making life better for working people. She praised his plans for change and said he stands for respect and hard work.

However, Conservative critics argue that Starmer often misjudges what the public wants and lacks the qualities needed to be a strong leader. They say he prioritizes boring, unambitious solutions instead of bold ideas. One Conservative source even said that Starmer’s own Chief of Staff agrees with their criticism, calling him a “lawyer, not a leader.”



The book also raises questions about whether Starmer broke Covid lockdown rules in 2020. It claims that a voice coach visited Labour’s headquarters on Christmas Eve for a training session, even though non-essential workers were supposed to stay home at the time. This has led to accusations that Starmer may have ignored the rules he expected others to follow.



A spokesperson for Downing Street dismissed the claims in the book, saying that “anonymous briefings” shouldn’t be taken seriously. They argued that the criticisms are based on unnamed sources and don’t reflect the reality of Starmer’s leadership.