Why Labor couples at the center of government are causing problems for Starmer

Politics has long been a family affair, but in recent years there has been a shift towards governance. becomes a family business.

Although children often follow in the footsteps of their parents and become deputies and even ministers, there is a tendency, especially with last Labor governmentspouses who have received leadership positions.

Since coming to power in July, the new government has made a number of appointments to powerful positions, creating a series of power couples operating at the heart of Whitehall.

Last month Sir Keir Starmer has appointed Claire Reynolds as its new political director at No. 10. The former director of Labour’s Women’s Network, which was instrumental in electing 100 female MPs, was widely regarded as the ideal choice for the role.

Reynolds brings with him a wealth of experience at the heart of the Labor machine, including previous work as a bipartisan adviser. Tony Blair And Gordon BrownHe is expected to bring much-needed credibility to the nascent Downing Street operation.

However, she is also the wife of Business Minister Jonathan Reynolds. Her appointment comes hot on the heels of news that Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s fiancé Joe Dancy has been given a senior job at Labour’s headquarters, part of a trend of spousal appointments that is deeply ingrained in the Labor Party and its government.

The Prime Minister’s new chief of staff Morgan McSweeney is married to Labor MP Imogen Walker, who is Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ parliamentary private secretary.

Newly elected Georgia Gould – the daughter of the late New Labor architect Lord Gould – is married to Alex Zatman, a special adviser to Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, while the head of No 10’s policy unit, Stuart Ingham’s partner Jess Lee, is a special adviser. Adviser to the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

There is no suggestion that each person was appointed for anything other than his or her strengths and that he was the candidate best suited for the role, but questions have been raised as to whether the trend towards appointing family members to senior government positions is contributing to positions. good management.

Indeed, is it wise – or even possible – to run a government that is entwined with such close relationships?

Sir Peter Riddell, former Commissioner for Public Appointments, said I that the move to appoint family members to leadership positions is a recent trend that could cause problems down the road.

“To me, this is more of a behavioral or cultural issue than an appropriateness issue,” he said. “Over the years there have been cases where ministers may have been married to civil servants or the like, but arrangements have always been made to keep them in different departments. But this growing trend of political appointments of spouses or family members is a fairly new cultural phenomenon.

“These are personal appointments – outside the civil service or regulated government appointments – and at the moment those involved undoubtedly believe that the decisions make sense because they are all friends, they are all on the same side and there is no conflict, but we will have to wait and see.”

Asked whether it contributed to good governance, Sir Peter said: “I think as it stands it is more of a potential problem than an actual problem. But the potential for conflict certainly exists, and if someone fails to live up to their obligations, it could be embarrassing for those involved.”

Although there have not yet been any conflicts between the ruling couples within the government, family ties have already begun to cause unrest in the party as a whole.

Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield resigned in September, citing allegations of cronyism within Keir’s government, while others privately raised concerns that the rise in spousal appointments could lead to poor policy making.

“What is very dangerous is that they seem determined to appoint only those close to them who are most likely to agree with them,” said one party source. I. “There is no one who can challenge them, no critical friends.”

The source added: “I don’t understand how such a tiny and interconnected group of people can represent the best decision-makers in the country.”

A separate source echoed those concerns, warning that intensified relations within the government could exacerbate the perception that Downing Street is dominated by cliques.

“Now that Morgan (McSweeney) has become chief of staff, No. 10 is already dominated by the gang,” the insider said. “And you’re either in a gang or you’re not. If you have a relationship with someone in a gang, then you are part of it only by association.”

But for others, the rise in couples in politics is simply a symptom of romance in the workplace. “These are people who spend their whole lives in politics, in Westminster, sharing the same interests. It is not surprising that they might end up in a relationship with each other,” speculates another party source.

For now, the presence of husbands, wives and partners may ensure loyalty, but when tougher times come, Keir may wish his government had such strong family ties.