Newport West and Islwyn MP Ruth Jones has said Sir Keir Starmer is currently “wounded” in his leadership of the Labour Party.
The MP made the comment during an interview today, (February 9) with James Williams on BBC Radio Wales, while reacting to the news that Morgan McSweeney had stepped down as the Prime Minister’s chief of staff.
Commenting on Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership and Morgan McSweeney’s resignation, Jones said:
“When you start becoming a hindrance to the Prime Minister then it’s time to go and he (McSweeney) is definitely a hindrance. He has been a hindrance for some time, so I think that’s really important, so the fact he’s gone is good.
“But it’s what happens next that is important. He’s perceived by a lot of MPs as sort of the power behind the throne, you know, advising Keir, he’s there on his side whispering into his ear.”
Talking about Starmer, she added: “I think he’s wounded absolutely, but is it fatal I don’t know, we’ll wait and see. May is a long way off relatively so I think there’s a lot to play for here and everything can change in the meantime. The only picture you get is at the ballot box. I think Keir needs to engage more with Wales.
“When you speak to him 1-1, he’s seen as a very different person. He is seen as bland and boring.”
Sir Keir Starmer is set to address Labour MPs in private at the weekly Parliamentary Labour Party meeting this evening as he works to defend his leadership.
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