Keir Starmer Faces Criticism Over Reshuffle as Progressive Allies Depart
Keir Starmer has been accused of sidelining some of his remaining progressive supporters as he restructures his administration to strengthen the role of Darren Jones, his chief secretary.
The prime minister is reorganizing several critical areas of his government, including the policy and implementation teams, to streamline decision-making and increase Jones’s oversight of key operations.
These adjustments follow a challenging first year in office, marked by declining poll numbers and accusations that Starmer lacks a clear political direction.
However, the changes have led to the exits of Carys Roberts and Muneera Lula, described by colleagues as among the more left-leaning figures in the policy unit. Though they were offered positions in the revised structure, associates say they believed their influence would diminish under the new system.
Recent additions to the unit include Axel Heitmueller, previously a senior figure at the Tony Blair Institute, while Harvey Redgrave, also affiliated with the institute, has taken charge of daily operations. Toby Lloyd, a former adviser to Theresa May, is expected to join to provide guidance on housing and infrastructure policy.
The reshuffle contributes to a sense of instability around the prime minister, with several long-standing aides departing in recent weeks. Among them are Paul Ovenden, Starmer’s political strategy director, and Steph Driver, the former head of communications.
One adviser remarked, “Carys and Muneera were among the sharpest thinkers in the building, with a deep understanding of Keir’s goals. Their absence creates a significant gap, and many see this as part of a broader shift away from progressive voices.”
Another senior official noted, “A notable number of women are exiting Downing Street. Those stepping into their roles tend to be centrist men.”
The prime minister’s office declined to comment. Supporters argue that Starmer remains committed to progressive values, citing his recent conference speech, where he strongly challenged the arguments of Nigel Farage and Reform UK.
They also dismissed claims of a male-dominated shift, emphasizing that overall oversight of the policy unit falls to Vidhya Alakeson, the deputy chief of staff and one of the most influential figures in government.
Starmer initiated the first phase of this restructuring in September following a difficult summer, during which he faced criticism for not countering Farage’s anti-immigration messaging.
The reorganization was aimed at addressing concerns that the government lacked a coherent strategy and had become entangled in divisive political disputes, with Labour now trailing Reform in polls by roughly seven points.
At the heart of the reshuffle was Jones’s appointment to a more central role.
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