Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister of Britain, made headlines today as he was seen leaving 10 Downing Street in London, accompanied by a group of reporters and cameras. The scene was reminiscent of his victorious arrival in 2024, when he was elected by the people as the leader of the country. However, today’s departure was not a result of any election or scandal, but rather a decision made by Starmer himself.
The reason behind this sudden departure was the resignation of his top civil servant, Cabinet Secretary Sir Chris Wormald. The Prime Minister and Sir Wormald both agreed “by mutual consent” for him to stand down from his position. This comes as a surprise, as Starmer had hailed Wormald’s leadership as “exceptional” when he appointed him in December 2024. However, it is now understood that the Prime Minister was not satisfied with Wormald’s performance and decided to part ways just 14 months later.
In a statement, Wormald expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as a civil servant for the past 35 years, and particularly for leading the service as Cabinet Secretary. He also thanked the dedicated individuals he had worked with and wished them success for the future. The Prime Minister also expressed his appreciation for Wormald’s long and distinguished career in public service and the support he had given him in the past year.
Wormald’s departure marks the third senior official to leave No.10 in the past week. Just a day before, chief of staff Morgan McSweeney had resigned, followed by communications director Tim Allan a day later. This series of departures has raised questions about Starmer’s judgment, especially following his controversial decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to Washington.
Mandelson, a former Labour peer, was later sacked from his position after just seven months due to his connections to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. He is now facing a criminal investigation over allegations of passing market sensitive information to the billionaire financier when he was the business secretary during the 2008 financial crash.
The backlash against Starmer’s decision to appoint Mandelson was harsh, with many questioning his judgment and ability to lead the country. However, at the time, Starmer had sung Wormald’s praises, saying that he was the best person to drive forward their Plan for Change and that he was looking forward to working with him to improve the lives of working people and strengthen the country.
The recent turn of events has sparked speculation that Starmer himself may step down from his position as Prime Minister. The rumors reached fever pitch on Monday when Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called for him to quit. However, in a show of resilience, the Prime Minister addressed Labour MPs and made it clear that he was not prepared to walk away from his mandate and responsibility to the country.
“I have had my detractors every step of the way, and I have them now. These are detractors who do not want a Labour government at all, and certainly not one that succeeds,” Starmer stated at the Parliamentary Labour Party meeting. “But I will tell you this, after fighting so hard for the chance to change our country, I am not prepared to walk away from my mandate and responsibility to my country, or to plunge us into chaos, as others have done.”
Starmer’s determination and resilience have been applauded by his supporters and party members, who have declared their full support for him. As the Prime Minister fights for his survival, he has made it clear that he will not back down from his mission to bring about a decade of national renewal and improve the lives of the working people.
Despite the recent setbacks, Starmer remains determined to lead the country and bring about positive change. His vision and determination have inspired many, and he continues to receive support from his party members and the public. As he leaves 10 Downing Street today, it is evident that Keir Starmer is a leader who will not shy away from challenges and will continue to fight for the betterment of his country. Let us wish him all the best for the future as he embarks on a new journey.
