Key Labor Party figure in shock exit

The man who was hand-picked to rebuild Labor’s reputation in the wake of the controversial branch stacking scandal has quit.

Victorian Labor state secretary Chris Ford will resign from his senior role leading the party in a surprise move that will see him return to the private sector.

The Herald Sun understands Mr Ford began telling senior party figures on Wednesday morning of his decision.

He was hand-picked to lead Labor’s administrative side in Victoria during a tumultuous period when it was put under administration amid a branch stacking scandal.

Victorian Labor secretary Chris Ford has quit.

Since then, the party has introduced a series of reforms recommended by former premier Steve Backs and former minister Jenny Macklin and resumed voting rights for it’s members.

Victorian Labor’s state conference returned this year, the first since 2019, paving the way for Labor’s national conference to also return in August.

Mr Ford also directed Labor’s 2022 state election campaign in which the Andrews government, seeking a third term in power, increased it’s parliamentary majority by one seat even as both major parties recorded drops in their primary vote.

He also directed the Victorian leg of the 2022 federal election campaign.

On polling day Labor picked up a swag of new seats in the state that helped Anthony Albanese form government, and months later won a by-election in the typically-safe Liberal seat of Aston.

Mr Ford has not advised of his next role but it is expected to be in the private sector.

The party will now begin searching for his replacement and a final decision will be made by the party’s administrative wing.