Labour’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, has taken over as Sir Keir Starmer’s right-hand man following Sue Gray’s departure. Gray stepped down, stating concerns about becoming a distraction to the government, amid reports of infighting and disputes over her salary. McSweeney, a key figure in Labour’s successful election campaign, will now lead the party’s operations in Downing Street.
But who is Morgan McSweeney? Hailing from Macroom in County Cork, Ireland, he began his political career with the Labour Party in 1997. Over the years, he worked in various roles within the party, including organizing campaigns in marginal seats and serving as chief of staff for Lambeth Council leader Steve Reed.
In 2017, McSweeney co-founded the Labour Together think tank with Reed, aiming to shift the party away from the hard left and towards the center. This move was instrumental in Sir Keir Starmer’s rise to power within the party and the subsequent general election victory.
Upon Sir Keir’s leadership win in 2020, McSweeney played a key role in restructuring the party and removing supporters of Jeremy Corbyn from positions of influence. He also established the Center for Countering Digital Hate to address issues like antisemitism within the party.
As Labour’s director of campaigns in 2021, McSweeney continued to wield significant influence within the party, with Starmer often supporting his decisions. Despite some internal tensions, his strategic approach proved effective, as evidenced by Labour’s success in the 2024 general election.
With Sue Gray’s resignation, McSweeney has now been appointed as Downing Street’s chief of staff, supported by deputies Vidhya Alakeson and Jill Cuthbertson. His appointment marks a new chapter in Labour’s leadership, with McSweeney poised to guide the party through the challenges ahead.
