Reports of dysfunction and unhappiness at the centre of government have led to Sue Gray’s departure as the prime minister’s chief of staff. In an effort to reset his top team, Keir Starmer has replaced Gray with Morgan McSweeney, and has also made a number of other key appointments to his No.10 operation.

So what does this restructuring tell us about how Starmer wants to run his centre of government? What lessons should be taken from the difficulties – and disagreements – at the centre that have hindered Labour’s first 100 days in power? And what else needs to change to ensure No.10, the Cabinet Office and the Treasury deliver for the prime minister?

The IfG’s final report of the Commission on the Centre of Government examined why the centre has failed successive prime ministers – and the early experiences of Keir Starmer’s administration have underlined, yet again, the urgent need to implement the Centre Commission’s seven recommendations for radical reform to create strengthened, united political leadership at the heart of government.

This webinar explored Gray’s exit, assess Starmer’s reset, and discuss the IfG’s recommendations for reform.

Our expert panel included:

• Sam Freedman, Author of Failed State and Senior Fellow at the Institute for Government


• Dr Catherine Haddon, Programme Director at the Institute for Government


• Alex Thomas, Programme Director at the Institute for Government

This event was chaired by Tim Durrant, Programme Director at the Institute for Government.

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