You’d think a prime minister with a landslide election victory and a 170-seat majority would have total control over his party.
But after this past week, Keir Starmer’s leadership has been thrown into chaos — and even his closest allies are wondering if he can recover.
It all started with a quiet admission behind closed doors, but it ended with one of the most public political collapses in recent parliamentary memory.
Private Regret, Public Fallout
Shortly after flying back from the NATO summit, Starmer sat down with his senior aides to catch up.
The topic: the controversial welfare bill. When warned that Labour MPs were on the verge of rebellion, Starmer admitted, “It’s my fault, I haven’t been focused enough.”
A candid moment — but one his aide quickly shut down: “You mustn’t say that to anyone.
You’re Prime Minister. You can’t show weakness.”
Yet days later, Starmer publicly admitted to the press that he’d only shifted his attention to the bill after his NATO obligations wrapped up.
By then, it was too late. The damage was done.
From Majority Rule to Public Rebellion
One year after securing a historic win at the ballot box, Starmer now finds himself at the centre of what some are calling the most embarrassing self-inflicted crisis in recent political history.
Even his allies aren’t sugarcoating it. One dismissed the situation as a mock “triumph for a listening Labour government.”
Another, more bluntly, called it a “complete s*** show.” A third just asked, “What the hell happens now?”
Starmer’s Authority Collapses in Front of His Party
In the Commons, the mood told the full story.
On the Terrace, rebel MPs — many of whom had previously been political nobodies — walked around like they owned the place. Some embraced.
Others simply beamed. One MP, Rachael Maskell, boldly declared that a “shift in power” had occurred.
She wasn’t wrong. In reality, it was a hemorrhaging of Starmer’s control.
The fallout is only just beginning. More retreats are expected — not just on welfare, but on education policy and taxes too.
No Discipline, No Fight, No Leadership
A lot of the blame is being directed at Labour’s chief whip, Alan Campbell.
But insiders say the real problem was higher up.
MPs were reportedly told there’d be no consequences for voting against the bill — even though it underpinned a major government policy.
Essentially, the rebellion had the green light.
Starmer’s team didn’t just lose — they barely even tried to stop it.
Turmoil at No. 10 and McSweeney in the Firing Line
As the chaos played out, many turned their attention to Starmer’s right-hand man, Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney.
He’s long been credited for helping Starmer climb the political ladder — but his performance in office is now under scrutiny.
Calls for his removal are growing louder.
While Starmer isn’t ready to let go completely, insiders say McSweeney could be shifted to a new role, possibly away from day-to-day government strategy.
“Morgan’s great at campaigning,” one ally admitted, “but he can’t be handling trade talks with Trump and also chasing votes in a Runcorn by-election.”
Possible Replacements Already in the Mix
Several names are being floated as potential replacements for McSweeney.
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Jonathan Powell, Tony Blair’s former chief of staff, has experience but some believe he’s out of step with today’s politics.
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Pat McFadden, a senior cabinet figure, is trusted but may not want to return to a behind-the-scenes role.
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Baroness Louise Casey, a recent appointee, is also being considered — especially after influencing the recent U-turn on the rape gang inquiry.
Still, insiders say the real issue isn’t just McSweeney’s role.
It’s the growing pressure on Starmer himself.
Labour Leadership Race Quietly Begins
As Starmer’s authority crumbles, a leadership contest is quietly taking shape.
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Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, is already being credited with brokerage between rebels and Starmer. Her team wasted no time briefing journalists about her role in “saving” the party.
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Wes Streeting, another key figure, has begun cozying up to MPs and activists — even managing to spin a Glastonbury controversy into a polished political statement against the Israeli government.
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Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester Mayor, also made his voice heard from afar, slamming the government’s half-hearted U-turn and calling for MPs to vote down the entire bill.
The Plot Against Starmer Is No Longer a Secret
At this point, many within Labour aren’t even pretending to hide their intentions.
One rebel MP reportedly said, “The time has come for regime change.”
Well, congratulations — it looks like they might be getting their wish.