The series of damaging climbdowns have left Mr Starmer’s political authority weakened, his judgment under scrutiny and the positions of those around him in jeopardy. Speaking to broadcasters on June 27, Mr Starmer said the adjustments were “the right thing to do”, giving the package of welfare cuts “the right balance”. A poll for the LabourList website found 40 per cent of Labour members want Ms Reeves ousted. One MP said Mr Starmer should replace Mr McSweeney and Ms Reeves, or at least strip away some of their decision-making powers. The bad blood between Mr Starmer’s top team and the wider party flows both ways.
