Morgan McSweeney, Sir Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff and key strategist behind Labour’s 2024 general election victory, has acknowledged that the party was not adequately prepared for governing after returning to power.

Speaking in his first major media interview on BBC Radio 4’s Political Thinking podcast with Nick Robinson, he admitted that Labour had failed to fully consider how much the political and global context had changed since its last period in office in the 1990s.

He said there had not been enough high-level discussion within the party about how to prepare the machinery of state or how to deliver rapid results for voters, stressing that early expectations of swift improvement were not met.

McSweeney suggested Labour’s time in opposition had been misjudged, with many assuming the party would need at least two election cycles to regain power, which contributed to a lack of readiness for immediate governance.

He also reflected on early policy choices, including the controversial decision to means-test winter fuel payments for pensioners, which was later partially reversed.

He described the policy as poorly calibrated, arguing that although targeting better-off pensioners was reasonable, the eligibility threshold had been set too low, causing political damage.

He further acknowledged that early controversies, including criticism over ministers accepting donated clothing and other benefits, had harmed the government’s image and should have been handled differently.

McSweeney also reflected on internal Labour dynamics, noting that preparation for government had been insufficient across the party rather than attributable to any single individual.

Beyond policy, he commented on wider political developments, including US President Donald Trump’s sense of humour, and expressed support for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as a potential future Labour leader.

McSweeney indicated he intends to step away from politics for several years, saying he is still processing Sir Keir Starmer’s political challenges and recent resignation events.

Overall, his remarks point to a governing party that, despite electoral success, struggled with readiness, delivery planning, and early policy execution in office.