Labour stalwart Harriet Harman has acknowledged that missteps are inevitable for a new government, following the recent turmoil that resulted in the resignation of Sue Gray as Downing Street chief of staff. The period leading up to Gray’s resignation has been described as “uncomfortable” for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, with reported tensions within Number 10 coming to a head.
Since Labour’s election victory in July, there have been ongoing controversies surrounding Gray, including leaked details of her salary compared to Sir Keir’s following a pay rise. Baroness Harman, a respected figure within the Labour Party, noted that it is not uncommon for a party that has been out of government for an extended period, such as Labour’s 14-year absence from power, to experience “clunkiness” in its initial governance.
During an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Harman expressed hope that Gray’s resignation would serve as a reset for the administration. She commended Gray for her hard work and honesty, calling her excellent to work with. The Labour Party has been working to address issues around members of Sir Keir’s team accepting gifts and hospitality, in an effort to move past the controversy.
Gray will be taking on a new role in government after determining that her presence was becoming a distraction, particularly in light of revelations about her substantial salary. This move is part of a broader restructuring within the government following internal criticisms about the communication strategy.
While some believe that Gray’s departure may alleviate internal conflicts, others, like Andrew Fisher, Jeremy Corbyn’s former policy director, attribute the early challenges faced by the Labour government to political decisions rather than staffing issues. Defence Secretary John Healey emphasised the significant role Gray played in preparing the administration for office, expressing respect for her decision to step down.
Regarding Gray’s resignation, Healey acknowledged that such situations are not uncommon and highlighted the importance of the government’s actions over staff changes. Downing Street has been approached for comment on these developments.