What might have been regular churn looks a little like a spring clean in the Downing Street policy unit. Guido hears that Tom Webb – the No 10 policy SpAd responsible for health, science/tech and public sector issues – is also departing. Webb had been working for Labour for eight years and is well regarded. He’s departing along with infrastructure SpAd Nick Williams…
Webb, previously Director of Policy for Labour and heavily involved in writing the manifesto, also went in after the general election and is now departing as of last night. Some fingers are pointing at policy delivery and innovation director Liz Lloyd…
Some changes in the Downing Street policy unit as Starmer’s infrastructure SpAd Nick Williams departs. Williams was previously a civil servant in the Treasury before serving as Labour’s Head of Economic Policy from April 2023 and subsequently moving into No 10. He is gone now after ten months – his departure was made known last night…
The infrastructure SpAd role provides advice on housing and other projects. Guido hears Williams worked extensively on the Heathrow project and proposals in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill. Reeves has stacked much of Labour’s fortunes on housing in the Spring Statement all while Labour constantly insists it is charging ahead with grand projects. It strikes Guido as a good idea to have a replacement infrastructure adviser appointed pronto…
Churn goes on in government – ex-Mirror pol ed Jason Beattie is joining Liz Kendall’s adviser squad. Check Guido’s SpAd list for the latest – SpAds themselves can get in touch with their own updates…
Co-conspirators walking past Downing Street today may have spotted something missing. There is no NATO flag on NATO day…
Under previous PMs the distinctive NATO flag, which has given hope to millions, was put up alongside the Union Flag every 4 April. What message does such a snub send to international partners in these tumultuous times?
The Ukraine flag is up of course. Guido called the Downing Street press office to ascertain what was going on. No explanation was forthcoming. No 10 just insists it is committed to the 76-year-old alliance. They’ve even sent their best man – Lammy – to the NATO conference in Brussels…
There is currently a row over Downing Street’s spin last night that its negotiating work had lowered tariffs from Trump: “We don’t want any tariffs at all, but a lower levy than others vindicates our approach.” This was lapped up last night by Lobby hacks who hailed the Starmer-Trump White House meeting as an unmitigated triumph. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp jumped on that one this morning…
When Starmer’s spokesman was asked to defend that claim at midday the line had changed: “It’s up to the US to set out the reasons behind their tariff decision…. It’s a fact the UK received the lowest rate… direct questions to the US on their calculations.” The US has an elucidation of its own…
The explanation from the White House is: “The numbers have been calculated by the Council of Economic Advisers … based on the concept that the trade deficit that we have with any given country is the sum of all trade practices, the sum of all cheating.” I.e. nothing to do with negotiations…
This is why there is no rate lower than 10%, which is the base rate. Some charm offensive…
Back in January Guido reported on unrest within Starmer’s Downing Street communications operation. Not surprising given the more-than-rocky start to Starmer’s “change” government…
Now-former Director of Communications Matthew Doyle was blamed along with Sue Gray for botching the “grid” for the disastrous first 100 days and things didn’t get much easier afterwards. The Guardian this morning says Doyle “is understood to have decided to go after feeling he had stabilised No 10’s communications strategy and narrative over the past few months, following the turbulence of the early days in government.” Cruel, that…
Rumours were circulating since the New Year that James Lyons was being lined up to replace Doyle, former deputy head of communications in Blair’s No 10, with the consensus among fresher-faced senior officials that he was “out of his depth.” Starmer has finally dropped the axe. Doyle can rest now – maybe on some plush red benches…
No 10 Communications Director Matthew Doyle is “standing down” after nine months. Shown the door…
That’s the second high-ranking departure including Gray. Comms director and Chief of Staff gone before a year passes…
Doyle’s job will be split in two. Deputy communications director Steph Driver will now be director of communications (delivery) while James Lyons will be director of communications (strategy). All change…
Reform MP Danny Kruger welcomed adult film star Bonnie Blue’s support for the party, adding:
“I’m not going to be judgemental about people who want to vote Reform. We want all the support we can get – quite like Bonnie Blue.”
