Starmer Under Siege: PM Faces Leadership Crisis After Losing Closest Aides

Keir Starmer is facing the most serious crisis of his premiership after the abrupt departure of his closest political allies, leaving Downing Street visibly weakened and Labour MPs deeply uneasy. The resignation of chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, swiftly followed by the exit of communications chief Tim Allan, has stripped the prime minister of the inner circle that helped carry him from opposition to a landslide election victory in 2024.

Senior Labour figures describe the mood as bleak and volatile, with widespread agreement that Starmer’s position is now perilous. While opinions differ on who is to blame for the government’s predicament, there is little dispute that the prime minister is navigating one of the most dangerous moments of his political career.

The McSweeney Void Looms Large

For six years, Morgan McSweeney was Keir Starmer’s constant political companion — strategist, enforcer and shield. He guided Labour through electoral defeats, internal party battles, and finally into government. His departure, following backlash over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, has removed what many MPs describe as Starmer’s “lightning conductor.”

With Morgan McSweeney gone, frustrations that were once deflected may now land directly at the prime minister’s door. Some MPs praise Morgan McSweeney as the architect of Labour’s revival, while others argue he was also present for the government’s missteps. That debate is now academic; the reality is that Starmer must govern without the aide he relied on most.

Mandelson Fallout Deepens the Crisis

At the heart of the turmoil lies the controversial decision to appoint Lord Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington, despite warnings about reputational risk linked to his past associations. Morgan McSweeney publicly took responsibility for advising the appointment, but critics within Labour insist the ultimate responsibility rests with Starmer himself.

Further pressure is expected as documents and internal communications related to the appointment are anticipated to surface. Senior figures warn that the loss of McSweeney has left the prime minister dangerously exposed at a time when scrutiny is only intensifying.

🇬🇧 Keir Starmer’s position as UK prime minister hit new trouble Monday after the leader of Scottish Labour demanded he quit for embroiling the British government in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
➡️ https://t.co/14k9Yv67yp pic.twitter.com/yWxgcgiMWp

— AFP News Agency (@AFP) February 9, 2026

A Party on Edge, Rivals Waiting

Labour MPs speak openly of a “last chance saloon” moment. Starmer is expected to address the Parliamentary Labour Party, a crucial audience whose confidence he must urgently restore. Without firm backing from his MPs, history suggests his time in office could be short-lived.

Although potential successors such as Andy Burnham, Angela Rayner, and Wes Streeting face obstacles of their own, the absence of a clear alternative has produced what insiders describe as a tense stalemate. Poor results in upcoming by-elections or devolved elections could rapidly shift the balance.

Keir Starmer can point to his electoral mandate, international relationships, and desire to end Britain’s recent churn of prime ministers. Yet authority in Westminster is fragile, and perception matters as much as power. With senior allies gone and party confidence shaken, the coming weeks will test whether he can reassert control — or whether the UK edges closer to yet another change at the top.

For now, the question inside Labour is stark: can Keir Starmer lead alone?