Blair’s aides teach Labour lessons on how to run No 10

Labour staff have had lessons with Blair-era veterans in how to be effective special advisers as the party steps up its preparations for government.

Political advisers were told “don’t be a knob” in a 90-minute session this week that warned them not to model themselves on Malcolm Tucker, the foul-mouthed spin doctor from The Thick of It, if they wanted to get the best from the government machine.

With Labour more than 20 points ahead in the polls, Sir Keir Starmer’s team have started an intensive programme of preparation for government as they seek to “hit the ground running” after the general election.

On Friday, Starmer said he did not formally offer a job as chief of staff to Sue Gray until she had

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