Inside power struggle: Top Labour figures compete for control over UK regions
A quiet battle unfolds between Labourʼs deputy PM and the new chief-of-staff over regional power distribution. Double meetings and competing agendas show growing internal tension in the government
A power-play between Angela Rayner and Morgan McSweeney is shaking-up Labourʼs regional plans‚ with both running separate mayor meetings (which causes some eye-rolls from local leaders)
The Deputy PMʼs oversight of regional power sharing faces a challenge from the PMʼs chief-of-staff; who holds monthly video-calls with mayors that dont include Rayner. In response shes created her own mayoral gatherings: making some local leaders attend near-identical meetings twice
The situation is a bit of a private marketplace at the moment
The Treasuryʼs getting involved too - Rachel Reeves plans to announce big changes for mayors this wed 30/oct/24; giving them more control over spending (which bypasses Rayners department). The education ministry also pushes back against her plans for local control of post-16 education
The situation got more complex after Sue Grayʼs recent exit. She used to help keep peace between different power centers in the party; especially with strong-minded mayors like Sadiq Khan and Andy Burnham who sometimes disagree with Sir Keir Starmer on big issues like ULEZ and Middle East policy
- Mayors tried to save Grayʼs position
- Some sent personal support messages
- Burnham wrote directly to the PM
- Grayʼs new role as regional envoy remains empty
While the govt tries to show unity before the budget announcement; the double-track approach to regional power sharing shows its internal divisions remain unresolved
