Politics · United Kingdom · 7 hrs ago
Labour chief whip Anneliese Midgley says she will take a tough approach
Labour chief whip Anneliese Midgley says she will be tough when keeping the party’s MPs in line.
The MP for Knowsley made the comments in a Vogue interview, describing herself as determined to get things done.
She says MPs should be treated with respect, not as numbers expected simply to vote as directed.
Midgley criticised how former prime minister Keir Starmer managed Labour MPs, while praising Andy Burnham’s promise of a more collegiate approach.
Her tough style has surprised some Labour MPs, who had hoped Burnham’s leadership would mean less strict party discipline.
The chief whip helps manage party discipline and voting, so her approach matters to MPs who want room for debate.
How Burnham’s government balances respect with discipline remains to be seen; the sources give no further steps or timetable.
Anneliese Midgley, Labour’s chief whip, said she would take a tough approach to keeping MPs in line.
In a Vogue interview, she said she was determined to win and would act on what she wanted to do.
Midgley said MPs should be treated with respect and not simply as numbers in a voting lobby.
She praised Andy Burnham’s approach to party management and said she would “run through the walls” for him.
Some Labour MPs had hoped Burnham’s leadership would bring an end to the strict party management style associated with Keir Starmer.
- Who
- Anneliese Midgley, Labour’s chief whip and MP for Knowsley.
- What
- She said she would take a tough approach to keeping Labour MPs in line.
- When
- The Guardian reported the story on 13 November 2026. The interview date is not stated.
- Where
- In an interview with Vogue. Midgley is the MP for Knowsley.
- Why
- She said she was determined to carry out what she wanted to do. The sources do not give a specific reason for her comments.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Burnham wrote to MPs saying he wanted a different culture and that the whips’ office should be an HR department rather than something to be feared.
The Guardian reported on Midgley’s Vogue interview and her comments about party discipline.
- Role
- Labour chief whip
- Constituency
- Knowsley
- Interview outlet
- Vogue
- Guardian publication date
- 13 November 2026
- Prior role
- Deputy chief of staff to Jeremy Corbyn
What people are saying
I’m not going to take any shit and I don’t fuck about
These are grown-ups who should be treated with absolute respect, who’ve got a wealth of ideas and advice – not just treated as a number to go through a voting lobby
Yeah, I do think that
I’m very determined. If there’s things I want to do, I will do them. Basically, I will win