Sir Keir Starmer has reorganised his Downing Street team as he attempts to reset his premiership after a turbulent first year in office.
The changes follow a difficult summer for Labour, marked by criticism over immigration policy, welfare reforms, and cuts to winter fuel payments.
Recent polls have shown the party slipping behind Reform UK, while some Labour backbenchers have accused Number 10 of weak communication and poor engagement with MPs.
The previously Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Darren Jones has been appointed as Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, a new role that will make him oversee the delivery of government priorities from Number 10.
Also, James Murray takes over his former Treasury post, while Dan Tomlinson, a first-term MP, steps into Murray’s previous role as Exchequer Secretary.
Explaining the changes, Starmer told the media his moves were not a reshuffle but a transition to the next stage of government.
“We spent the first year fixing the foundations, but we are into phase two and delivery, delivery is needed.
“Voters want change, and we must go further and faster.”
Luke Akehurst, Labour MP for North Durham, welcomed Jones’s appointment saying “he is a very effective minister and a great communicator. It’s a positive step to bring him into Number 10.”
Meanwhile, Jones has been an MP since 2017, gained prominence as chair of the business select committee and has previously cited Tony Blair as a political influence.
His new role will involve reporting directly to the prime minister while attending cabinet.
New appointed Downing Street team
Alongside Jones’s move, a series of senior appointments were announced, the likes of
Baroness Minouche Shafik, economist and former president of Columbia University and the LSE, becomes the prime minister’s chief economic adviser.
Tim Allan, a former Blair adviser, is appointed Executive Director of Communications, working alongside current comms director Steph Driver.
Vidhya Alakeson, deputy chief of staff, takes on expanded oversight of Policy and Delivery.
Daniel York-Smith becomes principal private secretary, replacing Nin Pandit, who will now lead a reformed delivery team.
Downing Street described the appointments as strengthening its operation for the new parliamentary term.
The Conservatives dismissed the shake-up as a sign of turmoil.
Party chairman, Kevin Hollinrake said “This chaotic reshuffle shows a Downing Street in crisis. It’s like firefighters arguing about the hose while the house burns down.”
