Morgan McSweeney, who served as chief of staff to former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urged a review of Cabinet decision rules and prime ministerial powers, saying democracy faces pressure from both abuse of authority and elected governments failing to deliver their programs.
The Guardian reported that McSweeney made the remarks to the House of Lords Constitution Committee on Wednesday. He served as Starmer’s chief of staff until February.
McSweeney said some procedures for “quasi-judicial” decisions can prevent full Cabinet discussion and leave the prime minister without a say on major issues. He argued that rules should be considered together to understand how they affect the government’s ability to act.
The Guardian identified the Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas fields as examples of decisions involving ministerial discretion. The outlet said Ed Miliband had a role in determining the fields’ future, and that responsibility later passed to his successor as energy secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh. The Guardian reported that McSweeney did not name specific cases himself.
McSweeney also argued for fewer rules governing the prime minister’s powers and suggested those powers be written down. He cited advice to Starmer against sending Cabinet ministers letters setting priorities and requesting progress reports, because that would breach convention, according to the Guardian.
He said protections against abuse should stay in place as other rules are reviewed. Separately, he warned that democracy can be strained when governments do not deliver the programs voters elected them to carry out, while some rules can also impede governments’ lawful mandates.
