Unbearable: Sue Gray Slams Starmer's No 10 Tenure & Lack of Vision!
Unbearable: Sue Gray Slams Starmer's No 10 Tenure & Lack of Vision!
Baroness Sue Gray calls her time as Keir Starmer's chief of staff 'unbearable,' citing rampant leaks and a lack of vision. Dive into her explosive post-resignation revelations!
Baroness Sue Gray, who served as Sir Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff, has opened up about her time in the Labour administration, describing the experience as “unbearable.” Her candid remarks come in her first interview since resigning two years ago, shedding light on the internal dynamics of No 10.
Gray revealed anxieties within the party regarding colleagues secretly taping conversations, making her feel that “everything you say” could be leaked. She criticized Sir Keir Starmer for not taking sufficient action against these negative leaks to journalists, which she claims plagued her tenure, even extending back to when Labour was in opposition.
During her interview on the Political Currency podcast with Ed Balls, Lady Gray suggested that Sir Keir lacked “vision” when he initially took office. She emphasized the importance of leadership, stating, “You have to set your vision, your agenda. That is definitely what everybody is looking for.” She added, “You need leadership, vision, and I think that will have been very difficult in these times.”
In stark contrast, Gray praised Andy Burnham, highlighting his “very clear view of what he wants to do.” She noted Burnham’s extensive experience, not just in central government but also as a mayor, and his focus on delivery, describing him and Starmer as “very different people.”
The former civil servant and special adviser also recounted how briefings against her began while Labour was still in opposition, with stories appearing in the media about things she supposedly said or did not say. These continued into government, contradicting her belief that discussions in private rooms should remain confidential. She cited a particular incident where a story about her trying to move Morgan McSweeney to the back of the building was leaked, expressing disbelief at such internal matters becoming public knowledge.
