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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Geraldine McKelvie and Kiran Stacey

Morgan McSweeney: brains behind Labour’s comeback undone by poor judgment

Morgan McSweeney arriving at Downing Street in a grey coat
Morgan McSweeney will be remembered as one of the most powerful unelected political figures of recent years. Photograph: Leon Neal/Getty Images

In the early hours of 5 July 2024, Keir Starmer arrived at Tate Modern in central London to celebrate Labour’s landslide election victory. As he prepared to address the throng of cheering activists, he was flanked by two people: his wife, Victoria, and his closest aide, Morgan McSweeney.

A reluctant McSweeney, it was reported, was dragged on stage by the soon-to-be prime minister to a roar from the party’s foot soldiers. A few years previously, this moment had seemed impossible. Many believe that, without McSweeney, it would have been.

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