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Prime Minister Starmer traveled to north Wales this past Thursday to declare the construction of a fresh nuclear energy facility. This represents a significant policy event with both local and national implications. Yet, the prime minister did not dedicate extensive time in Wales to promoting solutions for the UK's power requirements. Instead, he used the time trying to draw a line under the briefing controversy within Labour's leadership, telling journalists that No 10 had not undermined the health secretary’s ambitions in recent days.

As such, Sir Keir’s day served as a small-scale example of what his prime ministership has evolved into overall. On the one hand, he wants his government to be doing, and to be seen to be doing, significant actions. Conversely, he is unable to accomplish this due to the way he – and, to an extent, the country more generally – now conducts politics and government.

The Prime Minister is unable to change the culture of politics single-handedly, but he is able to do something about his own role in it. The plain fact is that he could run the government's core much more effectively than he does. If he did this, he could discover that the nation was in less despair about his government than it is, and that he was getting his messages across more effectively.

Personnel Problems in No 10

Some of the problems in Downing Street are about individuals. The personal dynamics of every Downing Street operation are difficult to discern accurately from the exterior. But it seems obvious that Sir Keir does not make sound staffing decisions, or maintain them. Maybe he is overly occupied. Possibly he lacks genuine interest. However, he must to up his game, avoid slow progress or incompletely.

• He dithered about assigning the crucial role of cabinet secretary to a senior official.
• He appointed a former official his chief of staff, then replaced her with Morgan McSweeney.
• He recruited Darren Jones in from the Treasury as his chief secretary.
• His media advisors have been frequently replaced.
• Advisors on politics and policy have come and gone.
• The situation is chaotic.

Systemic Issues at the Core of the Administration

Every prime minister spend too much time overseas and on international matters, where Sir Keir should delegate more, and insufficient time conversing with MPs and hearing the public. Prime ministers also spend too much time doing media, which Sir Keir worsens by doing it poorly. Yet leaders cannot express surprise when their political appointees, who are often party activists or ambitious in politics, overstep boundaries or become the focus, as Mr McSweeney now has.

The most significant problems, however, are structural. It would be good to think that Sir Keir reviewed the a think tank's March 2024 report on overhauling the centre of government. His inability to address these matters in the summer or afterward suggests he did not. The frequently dismal performance of Labour’s time in office indicates IfG proposals like reorganizing the roles of the Cabinet Office and Downing Street, and separating the positions of cabinet secretary and civil service head, are currently critical.

The dominant political role of prime ministers far outdistances the assistance provided to them. Consequently, everything currently suffers, and much is done badly or ignored.

This isn't Sir Keir’s sole responsibility. He is the victim of past failures as well as the author of present ones. But those who hoped Sir Keir might get a grip on the core and take the machinery of government seriously have been disappointed. Unfortunately, the biggest loser from this failure is Sir Keir personally.