Why labor power couples are at the center of government spells trouble for Starmer

Politics has long been a family affair, but in recent years there has been a shift towards governing become a family business.

While it is not uncommon for children to follow in their parents’ footsteps and become MPs or even ministers, there is a trend, especially with the latest Labor governmentthat spouses gain positions of power.

Since coming to power in July, the new government has made a series of appointments to influential roles, creating a series of power couples operating at the heart of Whitehall.

Last month, Lord Keir Starmer appointed Claire Reynolds as its new political director in No 10. The former director of the Labor Women’s Network, who was instrumental in helping 100 female MPs get elected, was widely seen as a perfect choice for the role.

Reynolds brings a wealth of experience having been at the center of the Labor machine, including previous stints as an adviser to both Tony Blair And Gordon Brownand is expected to add much-needed gravitas to the burgeoning Downing Street operation.

However, she is also the wife of Minister of Business Jonthan Reynolds. Her appointment quickly followed the news that Health Secretary Wes Streeting’s fiancée, Joe Dancey, has been given a senior role at Labor HQ, and is part of a trend of marriage settlements running deep within the Labor Party and its government sit.

The Prime Minister’s new chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, is married to Labor MP Imogen Walker, Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ parliamentary private secretary.

Newly elected Georgia Gould – daughter of the late New Labor architect Lord Gould – is married to Alex Zatman, the special adviser to Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, while Jess Leigh, the head of Number 10’s policy unit, Stuart Inghams partner. advisor to Minister of the Interior Yvette Cooper.

It is not suggested that each person was appointed on the basis of anything other than the merit of their strengths and that they were the candidate best suited to the role, but questions are raised as to whether the trend towards appointing family members high government positions is conducive to good governance.

Is it indeed wise – or even possible – to lead a government intertwined with such close relationships?

Sir Peter Riddell, a former Public Appointments Commissioner, said i that the shift toward appointing family members to senior positions was a recent trend, and one that had the potential to cause problems later.

“To me it’s more of a behavioral or cultural issue than a matter of decency,” he said. “There have been cases over the years where ministers may have been married to civil servants or something like that, but care was always taken to keep them in separate departments. But this growing trend of political appointments of spouses or family members is a fairly new cultural phenomenon.

“These are personal appointments – outside the civil service or regulated public appointments – and at the moment those involved undoubtedly believe that the decisions make sense because they are all friends, they are all on the same side and there is no conflict, but we will do that. We’ll just have to wait and see.”

Asked whether this was conducive to good governance, Sir Peter said: “I think as it stands now this is a potential problem rather than an actual problem. But the risk of a collision is certainly there and if someone does not perform, it can be embarrassing for those involved.”

Although there is no conflict yet between the power couples within the government, the family ties are already starting to cause unrest in the wider party.

Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield resigned as party leader in September, citing accusations of cronyism within Keir’s government, while others privately raised concerns that the increase in marriage contracts could lead to poor policymaking.

“It is quite dangerous that they seem determined to appoint only those most likely to agree with them,” a party source said. i. “There is no one to challenge them, there are no critical friends.”

The source added: “I don’t see how such a small and interconnected group of people can possibly represent the best decision makers in the country.”

A separate source echoed the concerns, warning that the increase in relationships within government risked increasing the risk of Downing Street being dominated by cliques.

“There is already talk of ‘the gang’ in Number 10 now that Morgan (McSweeney) has become chief of staff,” the insider said. “And you’re either in the gang or you’re not. If you happen to be in a relationship with someone from the gang, you are only part of it by association.”

But for others, the rise of couples in politics is merely a symptom of romance in the workplace. “These are people who have spent their whole lives in politics, in Westminster, and share the same interests. It’s no surprise that they can end up in relationships with each other,” another party source mused.

For now, the presence of husbands, wives and partners can guarantee loyalty, but when tougher times come, Keir may regret that his government has such strong family ties.