Alan Campbell (politician)

Government Chief Whip and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (2024-2025)

At the 2024 general election, Campbell was again re-elected, with an increased vote share of 50.6% and an increased majority of 15,455.^[12]

Following the Labour Party's landslide victory in the 2024 general election, on 5 July the new Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, appointed Campbell as Chief Whip of the Labour Party in the House of Commons and as Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury,^[13] which mirrored his previous position as the new Chief Whip of the Labour Party in the May 2021 shadow cabinet reshuffle.^[14]

In July 2024, Labour withdrew the party whip from seven MPs who voted against the government’s position on an amendment relating to the two-child benefit cap. The decision was reported as part of a wider effort by the party leadership to limit internal dissent and reinforce support for the government’s legislative programme.^[15] Further disciplinary action followed in July 2025 after a number of Labour MPs voted against the government on welfare reform legislation. Campbell wrote to MPs involved in the rebellion, reminding them of their recorded votes and of party expectations regarding support for government policy. Reporting noted that the correspondence contained personalised references to individual voting records and was issued following one of the largest backbench rebellions of the parliamentary term.^[16]

Later that month, four Labour MPs were suspended from the parliamentary party for what party officials described as repeated breaches of discipline. Media coverage identified the Chief Whip’s office as responsible for implementing and communicating the suspensions, which were framed as part of ongoing efforts to maintain party cohesion.^[17] The whip was subsequently restored to the suspended MPs following a period of dialogue between the whips’ office and the individuals concerned.^[18]

During his tenure, Campbell was also involved in the handling of individual disciplinary matters within the parliamentary party. In early 2025, he informed Labour MP Oliver Ryan of his suspension following an internal investigation into offensive messages shared in a private group. Reporting described the action as part of a broader approach by the party leadership to enforce standards of conduct among MPs.^[19] Campbell’s approach to discipline attracted criticism from some MPs and political commentators, who argued that the use of suspensions and warnings risked limiting internal debate within the parliamentary party. Coverage characterised these measures as indicative of a more centralised leadership style under Prime Minister Keir Starmer.^[20]

During this period, Campbell continued to support government positions in parliamentary divisions. In November 2024, he voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at second reading, allowing the bill to proceed to further scrutiny.^[21] In July 2025, he supported the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, which introduced changes to eligibility for certain disability-related benefits, including Personal Independence Payment and the health element of Universal Credit.^[22]

Leader of the House of Commons (2025-present)

In September 2025, Campbell was appointed Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council as a part of the wider 2025 British cabinet reshuffle. Campbell replaced Lucy Powell, who was sacked from the government. His appointment marked a move from the whips’ office into a Cabinet-facing parliamentary role during the second year of the Starmer administration.^[23][24]

In October 2025, Campbell was appointed Chair of the Commons Modernisation Committee, a committee re-established by Lucy Powell in 2024, to examine Commons procedure and working practices. Under his chairmanship, the committee initiated inquiries into accessibility in parliamentary proceedings and the use of proxy voting, as well as the effectiveness of existing sitting arrangements.^[25]