How important is the post of Labour general secretary?

A briefing war has broken out over the appointment of a key official to work with Keir Starmer to prepare the party for the next election, writes John Rentoul

Jennie Formby quit the role by ‘mutual agreement’ this week (PA)

The Labour Party is looking for a new general secretary after the resignation of Jennie Formby. An advert published yesterday invited candidates to submit applications by midnight on 14 May.

Meanwhile a row has broken out about the longlisting and shortlisting procedure, which suggests that the appointment will be the focus of a factional struggle over the next few weeks.

That in itself is a clue to the importance of the role. Although its holders are not household names (apart from the party’s first general secretary, Ramsay MacDonald, in 1900-12, who went on to become chairman of the parliamentary party and prime minister), they are the junction box for the hidden wiring holding the party together.