Morgan McSweeney's Reverse Midas Touch

After years of being feted in Westminster as a political genius, everything Keir Starmer's closest adviser now touches is turning to rubble

Morgan McSweeney depicted alongside his close ally Peter Mandelson

For years Keir Starmer’s closest adviser was feted in Westminster as an untouchable political genius.

“As Labour’s elections guru and Keir Starmer’s closest aide, Morgan McSweeney has near-unrivalled influence,” reported the Guardian in the run up to the general election.

“Adored by many staffers and key shadow cabinet ministers alike, some party figures retain more affection for him than they do the leader. The highest form of praise in Labour HQ is: ‘Morgan loves it.’”

Fast forward a year and not only have reports of McSweeney’s political genius become as rare as hen’s teeth, but many Labour MPs are coming to the realisation that any recovery for this Government is now wholly dependent on his removal from Number 10.

“This week has been a tipping point,” one previously loyal Labour MP told me following the forced exit of McSweeney’s close ally Peter Mandelson.

“Something has to give and I think it’s got to be Morgan.”