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Prime Minister Starmer traveled to north Wales this past Thursday to announce the construction of a new nuclear power station. This represents a significant policy event with both local and national implications. Yet, the prime minister did not devote extensive time in Wales to promoting answers for the UK's power requirements. Rather, he used the time attempting to put an end to the Labour leadership briefing row, telling reporters that No 10 had not briefed against the health secretary's goals earlier this week.

As such, Sir Keir’s day acted as a microcosm of what his prime ministership has now become overall. On the one hand, he wants his administration to be doing, and to be seen to be doing, significant actions. On the other hand, he is unable to achieve this due to the way he – and, to an extent, the country as a whole – now practices politics and government.

The Prime Minister cannot transform the culture of politics on his own, but he can do something about his own role in it. The simple truth is that he could run the centre of government much more effectively than he currently does. Should he achieve this, he could discover that the country was in less despair about his administration than it is, and that he was getting his messages across more successfully.

Personnel Problems in Downing Street

A number of the issues in Downing Street are about individuals. The interpersonal relations of every Downing Street operation are hard to know well from outside. But it seems obvious that Sir Keir fails to make sound staffing decisions, or maintain them. Maybe he is overly occupied. Perhaps he is not really interested. But he needs to improve his performance, not do things slowly or incompletely.

• He dithered about assigning the crucial role of cabinet secretary to Chris Wormald.
• He made a former official his chief of staff, then substituted her with a political strategist.
• He recruited Darren Jones in from the Treasury as his chief secretary.
• His communications chiefs have been frequently replaced.
• Advisors on politics and policy have entered and exited.
• The situation is chaotic.

Systemic Issues at the Core of the Administration

Every prime minister spend too much time overseas and on foreign affairs, where Sir Keir should delegate more, and too little conversing with parliamentarians and hearing the public. Premiers also spend too much time doing media, which Sir Keir worsens by doing it poorly. Yet leaders cannot express surprise when their politically appointed staff, who are often party loyalists or ambitious in politics, overstep boundaries or become the story, as Mr McSweeney has recently.

The biggest issues, however, are systemic. It would be beneficial to believe that Sir Keir read the Institute for Government’s March 2024 report on reforming the centre of government. His inability to address these matters in the summer or since suggests he did not. The often abject experience of Labour’s time in office indicates recommendations like restructuring the functions of the central government office and Downing Street, and dividing the jobs of top official and head of the civil service, are now urgent.

The dominant political role of prime ministers greatly exceeds the assistance provided to them. Consequently, all aspects suffer, and many tasks are poorly executed or neglected.

This isn't Sir Keir’s sole responsibility. He stands as the casualty of previous shortcomings along with the author of current mistakes. But those who hoped Sir Keir would take control of the centre and prioritize governmental structures have been let down. Unfortunately, the biggest loser from this shortcoming is Sir Keir personally.