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Prime Minister Starmer traveled to north Wales on Thursday to reveal the development of a new nuclear power station. This is a major policy announcement with both local and national implications. Yet, the PM did not dedicate much time in Wales to advocating solutions for the UK's energy needs. Instead, he used the time attempting to put an end to the Labour leadership briefing row, informing reporters that No 10 had not undermined the health secretary's goals earlier this week.

As such, Sir Keir’s day acted as a small-scale example of what his prime ministership has evolved into more generally. On the one hand, he desires his administration to be doing, and to be seen to be doing, significant actions. On the other hand, he is unable to accomplish this because of the manner he – and, to an extent, the nation as a whole – now practices politics and government.

The Prime Minister cannot change the culture of politics single-handedly, but he can take action about his personal involvement in it. The plain fact is that he could manage the centre of government much more effectively than he does. If he did this, he could discover that the country was in less despair about his government than it currently is, and that he was communicating his points more successfully.

Personnel Problems in Downing Street

Some of the problems in Downing Street relate to personnel. The personal dynamics of every Downing Street operation are hard to know accurately from the exterior. Yet it appears clear that Sir Keir fails to make good personnel choices, or maintain them. Maybe he is overly occupied. Possibly he lacks genuine interest. However, he must to improve his performance, avoid slow progress or by halves.

• He hesitated about assigning the key job of cabinet secretary to Chris Wormald.
• He made a former official his top aide, then replaced her with Morgan McSweeney.
• He brought a Treasury figure in from the Treasury as his deputy.
• His media advisors have been frequently replaced.
• Political and policy advisers have entered and exited.
• It is a mess.

Structural Challenges at the Heart of Government

Every prime minister spend too much time overseas and on international matters, where Sir Keir should delegate more, and too little talking to MPs and hearing the citizens. Prime ministers also spend too much time engaging with the press, which Sir Keir compounds by performing inadequately. But premiers cannot claim to be surprised when their politically appointed staff, who tend to be party activists or ambitious in politics, cross lines or become the story, as the chief of staff now has.

The biggest issues, however, are systemic. It would be beneficial to think that Sir Keir reviewed the a think tank's spring 2024 study on reforming the centre of government. His inability to grip these issues last July or afterward suggests he did not. The frequently dismal experience of Labour’s time in office indicates IfG proposals like restructuring the functions of the central government office and No 10, and separating the jobs of cabinet secretary and head of the civil service, are now urgent.

The political pre-eminence of prime ministers far outdistances the assistance provided to them. As a result, everything currently suffers, and much is done badly or ignored.

This isn't Sir Keir’s sole responsibility. He stands as the victim of previous shortcomings as well as the author of present ones. Yet individuals who expected Sir Keir would take control of the centre and prioritize governmental structures have been let down. Sadly, the primary casualty from this shortcoming is Sir Keir personally.