In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is facing mounting pressure after two of his most senior aides resigned in quick succession.
Tim Allan, Downing Street’s director of communications, stepped down just a day after the departure of chief of staff Morgan McSweeney.
Allan, who joined No 10 last September during Starmer’s attempted “reset,” said: “I have decided to stand down to allow a new No 10 team to be built. I wish the PM and his team every success.”
A former deputy press secretary under Tony Blair, Allan worked closely with Lord Mandelson. Documents he carried at Downing Street in December indicated a “strong start in January” and a “comprehensive” strategy for 2026.
Starmer loyalists have warned against leadership challenges. Labour MP Jess Asato said, “I think this is a make or break moment and the public will not forgive us if we make the wrong choice by turning on the Prime Minister… If anyone thinks that there is a magic person just waiting in the wings… they’ve learnt nothing from the chaos under the previous Government.”
Rumours have circulated that Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner may intervene, but sources close to her say she has “no plans” to act, with speculation possibly driven by rival Wes Streeting.
Downing Street denied the Government is in “chaos.” The Prime Minister’s spokesman said, “The Prime Minister is getting on with the job of delivering change for the country… He was upbeat, confident in his speech to staff this morning… He was positive, confident and determined.”
Labour backbencher Connor Naismith urged colleagues not to “squander” their time in power, while Conservatives mocked Starmer, with deputy chairman Matt Vickers saying, “The rats are abandoning the sinking ship that is Keir Starmer’s premiership.”
Pat McFadden, Work and Pensions Secretary, insisted Starmer has his “full support,” noting of McSweeney’s exit: “I feel Morgan himself was probably not told the full facts about what’s emerged in the last couple of weeks.”
Allan’s departure marks another setback for Starmer’s Government. Shortly after resigning, he updated his WhatsApp profile to read: “Out of Office: Gone Golfing.”
