Keir Starmer’s chief communications officer is departing from Downing Street, dealing another setback to the Prime Minister. Steph Driver, the head of communications for the PM, who has collaborated closely with Mr. Starmer for nearly five years, is the latest senior aide to exit No10 following a series of departures. This move comes shortly after the PM’s director of strategy, Paul Ovenden, also stepped down.
Furthermore, Mr. Starmer had to dismiss the UK Ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, earlier this month due to revelations in new emails concerning his association with disgraced figure Jeffrey Epstein. James Lyons, who previously shared the communications chief position with Ms. Driver, also departed from No10 at the beginning of the month.
The PM is currently facing challenges in stabilizing his No10 team following a string of exits. Mr. Starmer recently reorganized his top team at the start of the month after a tumultuous first year, which included creating a new role for highly regarded minister Darren Jones.
Formerly serving as Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s deputy at the Treasury, Mr. Jones now holds the position of Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister in Downing Street. This decision followed his relocation of principal private secretary Nin Pandit to a new role focusing on policy delivery.
In a restructuring move, Mr. Starmer appointed Tim Allan, a former advisor to Tony Blair in No 10, as his most senior communications chief – executive director of government communications. According to The Guardian, Ms. Driver decided to step down after discussions about the new communications team structure, following a period of leave due to a family bereavement.
Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Starmer praised Steph Driver for her significant contributions to the Labour Party and their historic general election victory. In response, Ms. Driver expressed her pride in working with Keir Starmer from opposition into government and highlighted the accomplishments achieved in rebuilding and rebranding the Labour party.
Ms. Driver, who collaborated closely with Mr. Starmer during their time in opposition, assumed the role of deputy director of communications at No10 after Labour’s election victory last year. Following the departure of head of communications Matthew Doyle in March, she later shared the role of co-director of communications with Mr. Lyons until his departure.
Recent developments saw Mr. Starmer facing additional challenges, with Mr. Ovenden resigning due to leaked messages containing sexually explicit jokes about veteran MP Diane Abbott. The PM also experienced the departure of his chief of staff, Sue Gray, amidst negative media coverage and speculation.
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