Morgan McSweeney calls for rethink of UK cabinet ministers’ ‘quasi-judicial’ powers

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Morgan McSweeney has called for a review of cabinet ministers’ quasi-judicial powers, arguing they limit broader cabinet and prime ministerial input on nationally important decisions. He cited the energy secretary’s authority over approvals for future oil and gas fields as an example and also called for simplifying rules governing prime ministers.

Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff also says the ‘thicket of rules’ about how PMs operate should be cleared away Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, has called for a rethink of “quasi-judicial” powers given to cabinet ministers such as the energy secretary’s ability to approve future oil and gas fields. McSweeney, who helped propel Starmer to power and served as his chief of staff until February this year, said he believed “quasi-judicial processes” were stopping wider cabinet discussions and input from the prime minister on issues of national importance. Continue reading...