Starmer’s allies to appoint new Labour general secretary in next fortnight

Move will help leader consolidate power over party before challenges of government dent his popularity

Keir Starmer's allies are planning to use their moment of maximum power" to speedily appoint a new Labour general secretary in the next fortnight, the Guardian has learned.

Insiders said party figures were planning to install a Starmer ally in the top party job in time for the appointment to be ratified by conference in late September.