The Downing Street reshuffle is underway in the thirteenth month of Labour in power. An attempt to fix so far one of the most dysfunctional No10s in recent history, and that’s saying something…
Youngster Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones is leaving the role to become a brand new SpAd/minister as Chief Secretary (Minister of State) to the Prime Minister and No10 Downing Street. This kind of gimmick is usually a sign of desperation…
Exchequer Secretary James Murray takes Darren Jones’ role. Both will attend Cabinet…
Downing Street says:
“The Chief Secretary role is a new appointment which will work collaboratively across UK Government to drive forward progress in key policy areas, reporting directly to the Prime Minister. The Ministerial role, based within No10 Downing Street, will directly oversee work across Government to support the delivery of the Prime Minister’s priorities and the Government’s Plan for Change. “
Usually the only Downing Street minister is the PM himself…
Former Blairite No10 director of communications Tim Allan is entering Downing Street as the new Executive Director of Communications working with Director of Communications Steph Driver. An Allan entry was said to be opposed by James Lyons – who is now gone…
Starmer’s booted PPS Nin Pandit “remains within the No10 team and turns to leading a newly reformed Downing Street Delivery Team.”
No10 Deputy Chief of Staff Vidhya Alakeson “will take on the expanded and additional responsibilities of overall oversight of Policy and Delivery within Downing Street.”
Policy Unit chief Stuart Ingham is going to join Morgan McSweeney’s chief of staff team. Liz Lloyd is departing No10 to be given a worse role. A government source tells Guido she was “‘ineffective, unpleasant and slow” – a Labour sources says “Liz Lloyd being moved is sign of how doomed it is, one of the few genuine right wingers in government.” This reshuffle cementing Starmer’s pitch to the left…
Burnham confirms he spoke to Trump last night about drilling in the North Sea:
“I indicated in the phone call that we had a week last Monday that I would take a pragmatic approach when it comes to the North Sea, and that is my intention as we go forward from here. There is a resource there. When people are struggling, we can’t ignore that. Hence, me indicating that to the president…”