Former chief advisor to Keir Starmer asserts that bureaucratic inefficiency is constraining the Government’s progress. Paul Ovenden, previously serving as director of strategy at No10, criticized the dominance of a “Stakeholder State” that has shifted power away from voters and left ministers feeling powerless. He highlighted the undue influence of non-governmental organizations, activist lawyers, and celebrity-endorsed campaigns.
Ovenden referenced the case of activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah, noting that his controversial social media posts, which emerged following his release from imprisonment in Egypt, became a frequent topic of discussion at No10. This, according to Ovenden, illustrates the distraction caused by individuals fixated on peripheral issues rather than pressing matters.
Advocating for a more assertive government approach, Ovenden urged swift dismantling of the current system to address the demands of frustrated voters. Despite resigning last year due to leaked explicit messages involving veteran MP Diane Abbott, Ovenden maintains close ties with key figures in No10.
In a recent piece for the Times, Ovenden highlighted the peculiarities of Whitehall’s priorities, emphasizing the need to realign the government’s focus to enact tangible change, such as improving housing and infrastructure. He criticized the Stakeholder State for prioritizing consultations and reviews over effective decision-making, leading to a disconnection between policymakers and the public.
By dismantling the Stakeholder State promptly, Ovenden believes the government can regain its purpose and responsiveness to citizens’ needs. He stressed the importance of restoring confidence in politics by delivering the desired reforms promptly.
Meanwhile, former New Labour strategist Sir Chris Powell cautioned Starmer about the threat posed by populist parties like Reform UK. Powell emphasized the importance of actively engaging with social media to counter the rise of such parties and prevent them from gaining credibility among disillusioned voters.
With mounting pressure on Starmer to revamp Labour’s strategy ahead of upcoming elections, the PM plans to address concerns about the cost of living in an upcoming event to rebuild trust with MPs and the public. Additionally, Yvette Cooper has initiated a review into oversight failures following the oversight of controversial social media posts by El-Fattah, emphasizing the need for improved vigilance within government circles.
