Who IS running Britain? Starmer in full clattering train wreck mode

Who exactly is in charge of this clattering train wreck?

Britain woke up to the astonishing reality that the Government now has no permanent Chief of Staff, no permanent Cabinet Secretary and no permanent Head of Communications — all within the space of a week.

And at the centre of the storm? Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer — accused by critics of tossing allies overboard to keep himself afloat.

On Thursday night, Starmer forced out Sir Chris Wormald just a year after personally appointing him as head of the Civil Service. The move followed days of extraordinary confusion in which Downing Street refused to confirm who was actually serving as Cabinet Secretary.

By nightfall, the role had been split three ways between temporary stand-ins — hardly the image of steady leadership.

It means that in under seven days, Starmer has lost three of his most senior appointees. Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney resigned on Sunday. Director of Communications Tim Allan followed on Monday. Now Sir Chris is gone.

That’s not reshuffle. That’s meltdown.

The chaos comes amid the Mandelson scandal, which has already left the Prime Minister scrambling. Sir Chris had only just overseen the publication of documents linked to Mandelson’s controversial appointment as US ambassador.

Now he’s out — “by mutual agreement.”

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch didn’t hold back, accusing Starmer of throwing the Cabinet Secretary “under the bus” and approving a £250,000 payoff that she branded “hush money” funded by taxpayers. For a Prime Minister who built his image on probity and professionalism, the optics are grim.

Even more damaging are whispers from inside No10 that Starmer appears more concerned about dress codes than direction of travel. One senior figure claimed aides were sent notes reminding them to wear “smart casual” — while the country faces economic strain and political paralysis.

Meanwhile, a row is brewing over who should permanently take the £220,000-a-year Cabinet Secretary post. Dame Antonia Romeo, one of the interim office holders, faces quiet resistance after a former diplomat warned due diligence must be completed before any appointment is made.

Downing Street insists criticism is baseless. But perception is everything in politics — and right now the perception is disorder.

The question echoing through Westminster corridors is simple:

If the Prime Minister’s top team is collapsing around him, who exactly is steering the ship?

Key Takeaways

• Three top Starmer appointees gone in a week, leaving major roles filled by temporary stand-ins.

• Cabinet Secretary role briefly unclear, fuelling claims of chaos at the heart of Government.

• Sir Chris Wormald exits with £250k payoff, prompting opposition fury.

• Tories accuse Starmer of sacrificing allies to protect himself.

• Internal whispers suggest focus on dress code over leadership.

• Growing pressure over who will permanently run the Civil Service.

SOURCE: DAILY MAIL

Step aside Prime Minister, hand over power to Larry.