Particle Data Platform
The News Agents

Has Starmer become the problem he promised to fix?

4/22/202632 min

Keir Starmer came to power promising to clean up politics and end the games at the top of Westminster. Yet this week has brought another sacking, linked to the handling of Peter Mandelson’s appointment, alongside reports of efforts to secure an ambassadorial role for the Prime Minister’s former communications chief, Matthew Doyle.

As more details emerge, the picture looks increasingly complicated. So is Starmer creating the very problem he wanted to eradicate? And can he keep putting the blame on everyone else?

The News Agents is brought to you by HSBC UK Beyond Business Ownership - https://grp.hsbc/BeyondBusinessOwnership

Clips

Maitlis corners McFadden

Transcript preview

First 90 seconds

  1. Pat McFadden· Soundbite0:00

    [upbeat jingle] This is a Global Player original podcast.

  2. Jon Sopel· Host0:05

    Keir Starmer not exactly denying the story, but then he kind of thought, "Geez, I've just had two weeks of really crappy headlines for apologizing. I'm not gonna do, be doing apologizing much more."

  3. Keir Starmer· Soundbite0:15

    I never turn on my staff, and you should never turn on your staff.

  4. Emily Maitlis· Host0:20

    [clapping] Starmer was a very different man six years ago.

  5. Jon Sopel· Host0:23

    We're in government. Shit, mistakes happen. It's a kind of nightmare trying to keep all the plates spinning.

  6. Keir Starmer· Soundbite0:28

    I had 8,000 staff for five years as the Director of Public Prosecutions, and I acted, I hope, in the right way with them, which is when they had victories, I celebrated on their behalf. I picked up awards on their behalves. And when they made mistakes, I carried the can. I never turn on my staff, and you should never turn on your staff.

  7. Jon Sopel· Host0:51

    [clapping] Well, what a difference six years makes. That was Keir Starmer in 2020. In 2026, it all looks like it's been a bit of a bloodbath.

  8. Emily Maitlis· Host1:04

    Four comms directors, two chiefs of staff, two cabinet secretaries, and one top civil servant. Is it still everyone else's fault? Welcome to the News Agents.

  9. Pat McFadden· Soundbite1:16

    [news jingle] The News Agents.

  10. Jon Sopel· Host1:21

    It's John.

  11. Emily Maitlis· Host1:24

    It's Maitlis.

  12. Jon Sopel· Host1:25

    And at Prime Minister's Questions today, huge amount of anticipation

We value your privacy

We use cookies to understand how you use our platform and to improve your experience. Click "Accept All" to consent, or "Decline non-essential" to opt out of non-essential cookies. Read our Privacy Policy.