After a month of disasters and terrible headlines, Keir Starmer takes drasticA loose network of activists and analysts critical of the official investigation conducted by the World Health Organisation. action. He shakes up his operation and resolves to move on.

That was not this week but in 2021, after his party lost a key by-electionAn election held outside a general election to replace an MP who has resigned or otherwise left office.  in HartlepoolA seaside town in northern England..¹ But many saw echoes of this approach in his decision over the weekend to sack Sue GrayA senior civil servant who entered the public eye for the first time when she was tasked with investigating lockdown breaches in government. In 2024, she was briefly Keir Starmer's chief of staff., his chief of staffThe leader of a large and complex body or organisation. .

There are many different ways of understanding the Sue Gray story. In one telling, this is a "boys' club" getting together to kick a talented woman out of her job.²

Less sympathetic observers say she only has herself to blame. In the last three months she has made herself deeply unpopular.

Many cried foul after she forced other advisers to accept lower pay than their Conservative partyA British political party. Members are known as Tories. predecessorsThe people that came before you. , but accepted a high salary herself.³

Critics accused her of micromanagingControl even the small details of an activity. . Government departments report they had difficulty getting through to Starmer, as Gray insisted everything must go through her.⁴

And then there are those who say the Gray story is really a symptom of a whole country miredTo be involved in a difficult or challenging situation. in an extended navel-gazing exercise.

Yesterday, they point out, was the first anniversary of the 7 OctoberOn 7 October 2023, the Palestinian group Hamas, which controls Gaza, carried out a series of surprise attacks on Israel, killing more than 1,000 people and taking more than 200 hostages. massacre and the beginning of the war that is claiming thousands of lives in the Middle EastThe lands around the east of the Mediterranean Sea and Arabia. . Yet all the front pages in the UK were focused on a minor government reshuffle.

They argue the row over Gray's pay was proof of an essential meanness in our mindset. Experts have long claimed the UK pays its ministers and top civil servantsAnyone working in a government department. The civil service has long-standing traditions and strict codes of conduct that can make it a law unto itself. far too little. The result is that they go to the private sector instead, depriving the government of talent.⁵

And this approach, they say, is what is holding Britain back: a reluctance to pay more now for better results in future.⁶

Is this what's wrong with Britain?

Yes: The whole country is preoccupied with the latest lot of sound and fury, signifying nothing. There is little attempt at a serious analysis of our failings and the policy prescriptions needed to solve them.

No: Starmer sacked Gray because she was doing her job badly. The whole episode has no relevance beyond that simple fact.

Or... This story does not necessarily indicate any wider problem: when a prime minister makes a major personnel change, the media will always take an interest. But that does not mean the bigger issues do not exist.

Drastic - A loose network of activists and analysts critical of the official investigation conducted by the World Health Organisation.

By-election - An election held outside a general election to replace an MP who has resigned or otherwise left office. 

Hartlepool - A seaside town in northern England.

Sue Gray - A senior civil servant who entered the public eye for the first time when she was tasked with investigating lockdown breaches in government. In 2024, she was briefly Keir Starmer's chief of staff.

Chief of staff - The leader of a large and complex body or organisation.

Conservative party - A British political party. Members are known as Tories.

Predecessors - The people that came before you.

Micromanaging - Control even the small details of an activity.

Mired - To be involved in a difficult or challenging situation.

7 October - On 7 October 2023, the Palestinian group Hamas, which controls Gaza, carried out a series of surprise attacks on Israel, killing more than 1,000 people and taking more than 200 hostages.

Middle East - The lands around the east of the Mediterranean Sea and Arabia.

Civil servants - Anyone working in a government department. The civil service has long-standing traditions and strict codes of conduct that can make it a law unto itself.