Viral AI Sketch Shows Starmer and McSweeney Fighting to Stay Afloat on Plank in Atlantic While Peter Mandelson’s Alleged Links to Jeffrey Epstein Roil UK Politics

Sir Keir Starmer has found himself the target of online satire once again, this time in a clever AI-generated video from the Crewkerne Gazette.

The sketch imagines Starmer and his recently resigned chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, clinging to a piece of wood in the freezing Atlantic after the Titanic crash, while Peter Mandelson’s face looms ominously on the iceberg.

The combination of historical reference and political jab highlights the fraught state of Starmer’s leadership amid ongoing controversies.

McSweeney Resigns Amid Mandelson Controversy

Morgan McSweeney stepped down as the Prime Minister’s chief of staff on Sunday, admitting that his decision to endorse Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to the US was a mistake.

The resignation adds to the pressure on Starmer, who is grappling with the fallout from revelations about Mandelson’s links to Jeffrey Epstein.

McSweeney acknowledged he had been wrong, signaling accountability but also underscoring the tense atmosphere within the Labour government.

Politics Meets History in the AI Sketch

The Crewkerne Gazette’s video places Starmer and McSweeney on a plank in icy waters, with Starmer humorously blaming McSweeney for “losing the keys to the binocular cabinet,” referencing the real-life mishap of Titanic officer David Blair, who inadvertently kept the key and prevented the lookouts from spotting the iceberg.

McSweeney protests in the sketch, insisting that he was not at fault, while Starmer quips that it does not matter now because “we’ll re-write the history books.”

The clip ends with McSweeney plunging into the ocean, and Mandelson’s face projected onto the iceberg, cementing the satire.

Mandelson in Musical Satire

This is not the Gazette’s first run-in with Mandelson.

Suggested Readings (News continues below)

Fans left speechless as Coco Jones delivers a moving and unforgettable performance of the black national anthem before the Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium in San Francisco

Post-Match Violence Rocks Bilston Town Stadium as Footballer Fights Fans and Droylsden Coach is Seen Throwing Punches After FA Vase Defeat

Eileen Gu dominates sponsorship deals and leads richest Winter Olympians heading into Milan-Cortina 2026 Games

Authorities Investigate Ransom Note Threatening Nancy Guthrie’s Life as Savannah Guthrie’s Family Faces $6 Million Bitcoin Demand in Tucson Arizona

In another video, Starmer is depicted playing the piano while Mandelson dons a red gown, with lyrics reworked from Barry Manilow’s 1974 US number-one hit.

The parody pokes fun at leaks, resignations, and political missteps, blending pop culture with political commentary in the site’s signature style, which it describes as “where truth and satire dance together, like drunks at The White Hart.”

The website, run anonymously by two friends from Yeovil College, has previously mocked high-profile figures including Angela Rayner, Rachel Reeves, and David Lammy, and now McSweeney has joined their satirical spotlight.

Starmer’s Leadership Under Strain

McSweeney’s exit is the second high-profile departure from Starmer’s team, following Sue Gray’s resignation in October 2024.

McSweeney played a key role in Starmer’s election success, helping Labour move from opposition to government after Jeremy Corbyn’s tenure.

Starmer publicly praised McSweeney for his dedication and leadership, crediting him with turning the party around and securing a landslide victory.

Yet the resignation highlights the fragile state of his leadership, with speculation mounting about potential successors and political manoeuvres behind the scenes.

Angela Rayner is reportedly making strategic moves, while figures such as Wes Streeting, Ed Miliband, Al Carns, and Lucy Powell are mentioned as possible contenders.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham appears to face limited opportunities after being blocked from a key by-election by Starmer’s allies.

What’s Next?

With McSweeney gone and Mandelson-related controversies still brewing, Starmer’s leadership faces continued scrutiny.

The coming weeks could see further resignations, internal party conflicts, and more AI-generated satire highlighting the government’s vulnerabilities.

How Starmer manages this storm may well determine the stability of the Labour government and his own political future.

Summary

The AI Titanic sketch has turned Starmer and McSweeney into online punchlines, reflecting the turbulence within the Labour Party.

McSweeney’s resignation following the Mandelson scandal is a fresh blow to Starmer, who has already seen key aides leave.

The Crewkerne Gazette continues to use satire and historical references to lampoon the party’s leadership.

With leadership tensions rising and further reshuffles possible, Starmer’s ability to maintain control of his government faces a serious test in the weeks ahead.