Starmer’s Communications Chief Steph Driver Resigns in Latest No 10 Departure

Published: 26 September 2025, The English Chronicle Desk

Keir Starmer’s head of communications, Steph Driver, has announced her resignation from Downing Street, marking the latest exit among trusted aides in the prime minister’s inner circle. Driver, who spent five years advising Starmer as opposition leader before becoming deputy director and then director of communications at No 10, leaves following a period of reflection after a family bereavement.

Her departure comes barely a week after Paul Ovenden quit as the prime minister’s director of political strategy, and shortly after James Lyons, the director of communications for strategy, also left after just a year in his role. The recent reshuffle of the communications operation, which saw Tim Allan, a former adviser to Tony Blair and co-founder of PR firm Portland, appointed executive director of government communications, placed Allan above Driver and Lyons in seniority. Despite the changes, Driver was widely regarded as one of Starmer’s most trusted advisers, and sources indicate that both the prime minister and his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, attempted to persuade her to remain.

Starmer paid tribute to Driver’s service, saying: “Steph Driver has been a loyal and valued member of my team for almost five years. Steph played a leading role in transforming the Labour party and delivering our historic general election win. I will forever be grateful for her calm, wise counsel, leadership, and humour. I wish her all the best in her undoubted onward success.”

In her statement, Driver reflected on her time with Starmer: “It has been an honour to work with and advise Keir through opposition and into government. Being part of the team to rebuild and rebrand the Labour party before securing an historic general election victory is an achievement and experience like no other. I’m also proud of what this government has already delivered, and thank the sharp and talented No 10 press team for their hard work and support during my tenure. I’m grateful to the prime minister for his continued faith in me and my work, and for his offer of an open door in the future. His Labour government has my unwavering support.”

Throughout the election campaign, Driver was a constant presence in Starmer’s press operations, earning a reputation among colleagues and journalists for her loyalty and composure under pressure. After Labour’s election victory, she initially served as deputy director of communications under Matthew Doyle, another veteran of the Blair era who had worked alongside Starmer since 2021. Doyle stepped down from the role in March after nine months in office.

The spate of resignations has fuelled concerns over the stability and effectiveness of Starmer’s communications team. Some Labour MPs have cited wider missteps in government operations, including controversies over welfare reforms and the dismissal of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington, suggesting that questions about the prime minister’s political judgment may be overshadowing the narrower issue of communications staffing.

While Driver’s departure highlights the churn at the top of Downing Street, it also reflects the pressures facing advisers in an administration balancing high public expectations with complex political challenges. Her colleagues note that her measured approach and institutional knowledge will be difficult to replace, leaving a gap in the team that has been integral to Starmer’s strategy in both opposition and government.

As No 10 prepares to appoint a successor, the focus will likely shift to how the communications office can maintain continuity in messaging and media relations, particularly in an environment where political scrutiny is intense and public confidence remains a priority. Driver’s exit underscores the ongoing challenge for the prime minister to sustain a cohesive, trusted advisory team while managing the demands of governing in a fast-moving political landscape.