Starmer 2.0 could aim to revive Labour's appeal with a more authentic tone

After the departure of his chief of staff and a series of internal rows, No 10 insiders say Keir Starmer has signalled a firmer public stance and will test that approach at the Gorton and Denton byelection.

Keir Starmer's premiership has entered a period of change after internal turmoil and the departure of his long-serving chief of staff. Insiders say the prime minister has begun to take a firmer public line on cultural issues and immigration in recent days. That shift included a direct public rebuke of comments by a billionaire and a more robust stance on proposed changes to the Equality Act. The coming Gorton and Denton byelection is being treated inside Labour as an early test of this approach. Key developments: - Morgan McSweeney, the departing chief of staff, left amid controversy linked to recent appointments. - Starmer publicly condemned comments by Jim Ratcliffe as "offensive and wrong," a gesture aides cite as part of a harder public tone. - No 10 insiders say staff vacancies in senior communications and chief-of-staff roles remain and that the operation is adjusting its strategy. - Labour is treating the Gorton and Denton byelection as a test of whether a more forceful stance reconnects with key voters. Summary: The prime minister's team describes a move toward a more vocal defence of Labour values after a period of internal disputes and high-profile departures. The immediate next milestone is the Gorton and Denton byelection, which Labour sources say will provide evidence on whether the change in tone resonates; the outcome is undetermined at this time.