Sue Gray Quits: A Familiar Name in a Fresh Storm

£22bn Pledged for Carbon Capture Projects: Labour's Big Green Bet

Labour’s latest green move is making waves – and it comes with a £22bn price tag. Over the next 25 years, the government plans to capture and store carbon emissions from industry, energy, and hydrogen production. According to Keir Starmer, this isn't just about saving the planet (though, you know, that's kind of important); it’s also about "reigniting our industrial heartlands" and giving a serious boost to economic growth.

So, where’s all this money going? It’s being funnelled into Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) facilities. These aim to stop CO2 from industrial processes and power stations from heading straight into the atmosphere by storing it underground. CCS is seen as vital for hitting those ever-pressing climate targets, but here’s the kicker – it’s never been done at a commercial scale in the UK before.

And, of course, no bold political promise comes without controversy. Greenpeace and other environmental campaigners argue that CCS might just be a fancy way for big energy companies to extend the life of their fossil fuel assets, delaying the shift to renewables. The projects, set to start in Teesside and the northwest in 2028, promise to capture 8.5 million tonnes of CO2 annually and attract £8bn in private investment. Plus, 4,000 new jobs now, with 50,000 more over time.

Exciting? Sure. Risky? Definitely. But it’s a bet Labour’s willing to take.

What’s your take? Let us know below ⬇️

Sue Gray Quits: A Familiar Name in a Fresh Storm

Sue Gray, who became a household name after the infamous Partygate investigation, has decided to step down as Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, citing concerns that she was becoming “a distraction.” Her resignation, after a turbulent few weeks in government, has sent ripples through Downing Street and reignited debates about Labour's internal operations.

So, what exactly happened? Well, Ms. Gray found herself at the centre of a political maelstrom that started brewing when news leaked about her salary—a cheeky £3,000 more than the prime minister himself. Not exactly a headline that makes for an easy day at the office. Pair that with revelations about clothing donations from Labour peer Lord Waheed Alli, and it’s clear that the storm clouds over Ms. Gray weren’t just about her paycheque.

The situation had become untenable. Advisers within Labour were being asked to take pay cuts, and there was growing dissatisfaction about a lack of contracts for key team members. Gray was a prime target for these frustrations. Despite efforts to defend her, including from Deputy PM Angela Rayner, the rumour mill spun fast and hard. Allegations that she was a “control freak” and was responsible for delays in policy decisions certainly didn’t help. So, here we are, with Sue Gray stepping into a new role as the prime minister’s envoy for nations and regions—essentially a polite sidestep out of the firing line.

Replacing Gray is Morgan McSweeney, the man who masterminded Labour’s election landslide and someone who’s no stranger to Starmer’s team. He’ll be the new chief of staff, alongside a raft of other new appointments designed to “strengthen the Downing Street operation.” If this feels a bit like rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic, you’re not alone in thinking that.

But it’s not all just a soap opera about staff changes. The cracks in Labour’s armour are beginning to show. Starmer’s first 100 days in office haven’t been plain sailing, and this reshuffle reflects just how bumpy things have been. Beyond Gray, other new faces have been brought in to try and fix the ongoing mess—James Lyons, a former political journalist, will head up a new strategic communications team, and two new deputy chiefs of staff have been appointed to add some muscle to the PM’s office.

All of this, of course, hasn’t gone unnoticed by Labour’s opposition. The Conservatives are already sharpening their knives, calling the situation “chaos.” They’re gleefully pointing to the fact that Starmer lost his chief of staff before even hitting the 100-day mark. And they’re not entirely wrong—Labour does look a little disjointed at the moment, and Starmer's government needs to get its act together if it hopes to maintain control of the political narrative.

Sue Gray’s departure is more than just an internal reshuffle; it’s a symbol of the growing pains Labour is going through. For all the talk of professionalism and steady hands on the wheel, these first 100 days have felt more like a rough-and-tumble rugby match than a well-oiled machine. The question now is whether these changes will help Labour get back on track or whether this is just the beginning of more “distractions” to come.