Rachel Reeves’s Key Ally Darren Jones Given Senior Role in Starmer’s Mini Reshuffle

Published: 1 September 2025. The English Chronicle Desk

Sir Keir Starmer has carried out a significant reshaping of his Downing Street team as Members of Parliament return from their summer recess, appointing one of Labour’s rising figures to a newly created role at the centre of government. The move comes amid a period of quiet turbulence within No 10, with senior staff departures and questions about the Prime Minister’s long-term strategy as he seeks to strengthen his grip on both party and policy.

Darren Jones, a close ally of Chancellor Rachel Reeves, has been named chief secretary to the Prime Minister, a role designed to place him at the heart of decision-making in Downing Street. In this capacity, Mr Jones will attend Cabinet meetings and oversee government-wide delivery of the Prime Minister’s priorities. The position, Downing Street confirmed, is aimed at ensuring closer coordination between departments and a firmer focus on the policy agenda that Labour pledged during the election campaign.

Until this week, Mr Jones had been serving as chief secretary to the Treasury, effectively acting as Rachel Reeves’s deputy and one of the key figures in shaping Labour’s early fiscal policy. His transfer to No 10 marks a significant elevation, and underlines the Chancellor’s growing influence within government. He will now operate directly from the Prime Minister’s residence, managing cross-departmental efforts to implement policies across a wide spectrum, from the economy and public services to housing and energy.

Replacing Jones at the Treasury will be James Murray, who steps up as the new chief secretary to the Treasury. His appointment ensures continuity in economic leadership and keeps a trusted figure at Reeves’s side as she prepares for a challenging autumn budget, expected to involve hard decisions on both taxation and spending.

This week’s moves follow the appointment of Baroness Minouche Shafik as chief economic adviser to the Prime Minister. Shafik, a highly regarded economist with an international profile, is a former deputy governor of the Bank of England and ex-permanent secretary at the now-defunct Department for International Development. More recently, she served as president of Columbia University in New York. Her recruitment is widely interpreted as part of a deliberate strategy to bolster the government’s economic credibility as Reeves readies her first budget statement since Labour’s return to power.

The personnel changes come against a backdrop of ongoing upheaval inside No 10. Last week, Sir Keir replaced his principal private secretary, Nin Pandit, who had been in post for less than a year. Pandit will take on a new role in September, focusing on delivering key government priorities. His exit follows those of chief of staff Sue Gray and communications director Matthew Doyle, making it the third high-profile departure in under 12 months.

Speculation had swirled that Starmer might attempt a broader reshuffle of junior ministerial posts after Parliament reconvened, but government sources have sought to play down such rumours, suggesting no immediate changes to ministerial portfolios are likely in the first weeks of September.

Nonetheless, the Prime Minister suffered another unexpected setback on Monday with the resignation of his top spin doctor, James Lyons, who left his post after less than a year in the job. Lyons’ sudden departure, following closely on the heels of Pandit’s reassignment, has intensified scrutiny of stability within Starmer’s inner circle. Critics have suggested the churn at the highest levels of No 10 risks undermining the coherence of government strategy, while supporters argue that Starmer is simply shaping his team to suit his long-term vision.

The developments highlight both the opportunities and the challenges facing Labour as it moves from electoral victory into the practical realities of government. With Reeves preparing for her defining budget, Shafik’s expertise in economic policy, and Jones’s expanded role in Downing Street, the Prime Minister is attempting to build a leadership team that can deliver on promises while withstanding political pressures. Yet the series of resignations and reassignments within his top staff also raise questions about cohesion and continuity at the very heart of power.

As Labour’s government enters a critical period, attention will be on whether these changes reinforce Starmer’s authority or expose fault lines within his administration. The months ahead, particularly the autumn budget, are likely to prove a decisive test of both his team’s durability and the public’s confidence in his leadership.

The English Chronicle Online will continue to monitor these developments closely, bringing updates on the Prime Minister’s evolving strategy, the Chancellor’s fiscal plans, and the political dynamics shaping the government’s agenda.