{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/68359028e1abc4be6b032cd1/6989dca808464aeb4479628e?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"McSweeney resigns – is Starmer next? ","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/68359028e1abc4be6b032cd1/1770642568824-1ff858fb-0c1b-4d7a-ba84-97e6ca2e6ad8.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>Morgan McSweeney resigned yesterday as Keir Starmer’s chief of staff and – while it was not a surprise, given his role in appointing Peter Mandelson – the news that the Prime Minister has now lost his closest aide and political fire blanket is a huge shock. The repercussions are numerous: Starmer loses the man widely regarded to have won him his large majority and someone who was popular in No. 10; he has recruited two new deputies to fulfil a role considered insurmountable for one person; and it sets a precedent that anyone who allowed Mandelson to become US ambassador is liable for the chop.</p><p>For a Prime Minister without a political philosophy, McSweeney was the man with the plan – where does Labour go from here? Is this the end for Starmer – and who might replace him?</p><p>Tim Shipman and James Heale discuss.</p><p>Produced by Megan McElroy and Oscar Edmondson.</p><p><br></p>","author_name":"The Spectator"}