Sir Keir Starmer has introduced a shake-up of his staff in Downing Road as he seeks to reset his premiership after a troublesome first 12 months in workplace.
Darren Jones, seen as a rising star inside the Labour Social gathering, has been moved to Quantity 10 to supervise the day-to-day supply of the prime minister’s priorities.
He has spent the final 12 months because the chief secretary to the Treasury – primarily Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ deputy – however that position will now be taken by James Murray, who was beforehand the exchequer secretary.
Mr Murray can be changed by Dan Tomlinson, a brand new MP from the 2024 consumption who was the federal government’s “growth mission champion”.
Politics newest: Starmer begins Downing Road reshuffle
Downing Road mentioned the adjustments mirror the shift right into a “second phase” of presidency.
“It reflects the prime minister’s view that phase one of this government was about fixing the foundations and the second phase has to be about a relentless focus on delivery,” Sir Keir’s official spokesperson mentioned.
Requested if that means that supply within the first 12 months has not gone as hoped, they added: “The prime minister got here into authorities with dedication to ship change for working folks. He spent the primary 12 months getting on with that job.
“After all, the prime minister is all the time decided to be sure that we’re straining each sinew to ship for the British folks.
Picture:Darren Jones Pic: PA
“That is what they rightly expect and what he comes to work and focuses on every single day.”
Mr Jones’s official new title is chief secretary to the prime minister, and he’ll reply on to Sir Keir whereas persevering with to attend Cupboard.
He was elected because the Bristol North-West MP in 2017 and rose to prominence a couple of years later as chair of the enterprise choose committee, when he made a reputation for himself holding enterprise leaders to account.
Mr Jones has beforehand described Tony Blair as his political hero and is known to have privately urged the federal government to be extra radical.
In its announcement of the shakeup on Monday morning, Downing Road mentioned it might “bolster” its operations to mark a brand new time period in parliament, with MPs getting back from the summer season recess in the present day.
New financial adviser appointed
In additional adjustments, economist Baroness Minouche Shafik will tackle a brand new senior position in Downing Road, as chief financial adviser.
The Labour peer is a British-American economist and educational who has beforehand served because the president and vice chancellor of the London College of Economics (LSE), and because the president of Columbia College.
Tim Allan, who was an adviser to Blair from 1992 to 1998, has been appointed as the federal government’s Govt Director of Communications and can work with present director of communications, Steph Driver
James Lyons, who had been director of strategic communications inside No 10, has left his position after a 12 months, saying that it was “never intended as a long haul”.
The prime minister’s Deputy Chief of Employees Vidhya Alakeson will tackle the expanded duties of total oversight of Coverage and Supply inside Downing Road.
Daniel York-Smith has been appointed because the prime minister’s Principal Non-public Secretary (PPS), a senior civil servant place that was beforehand held by Nin Pandit.
Picture:James Murray is the brand new Chief Secretary to the Treasury
Ms Pandit departed final week however stays in Downing Road and can lead a “newly reformed” supply staff, Quantity 10 mentioned.
Though many of those names should not well-known public figures, the shake up is critical because it marks the start of a “reset” in authorities.
Labour is languishing behind Reform UK within the polls after a summer season marred by unfavourable headlines on immigration and Channel crossings.
The federal government has additionally confronted a backlash on points such because the minimize to winter gasoline fee and deliberate welfare reforms.
Labour backbenchers have criticised Quantity 10 for not participating with their considerations and having a poor communications technique.
The Tories mentioned the reshuffle exhibits a “Downing Street in crisis” whereas Reform UK branded it “desperate”.
