Trusted communications chief departs after five years by Labour leader’s side, fuelling concern over turbulence in Downing Street operation…reports Asian Lite News
Keir Starmer has lost one of his most trusted lieutenants after Steph Driver, his head of communications, confirmed she was leaving Downing Street – the latest in a series of senior departures that have unsettled the prime minister’s team, The Guardian reported.
Driver’s exit marks the end of a five-year partnership with Starmer, during which she guided his press strategy in opposition and then played a central role in shaping Labour’s election-winning message. Her decision comes barely a week after Paul Ovenden, Starmer’s director of political strategy, walked away, and follows the departure of James Lyons, who had overseen communications strategy in No 10 but quit after just a year.
The repeated churn has raised questions among Labour MPs and insiders about the stability and effectiveness of Downing Street’s communications machine, long viewed as one of the prime minister’s weaker points since entering government.
Driver, who joined Starmer when he became Labour leader in 2020, initially moved into No 10 as deputy director of communications before being promoted to director earlier this year. She was widely regarded as calm under pressure, unflappable in crisis, and intensely loyal to the Labour leader. During the election campaign she was rarely more than a step away from him, managing the flow of information between Starmer and the press pack.
Colleagues described her as “universally respected” and “utterly dependable”, while journalists viewed her as a consistent and trusted source. Her proximity to the prime minister made her one of the most influential voices in shaping Labour’s public message.
Driver’s resignation, understood to have been her own decision, came after discussions with Starmer and his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, about a restructured communications team. Sources said she had also taken leave following a family bereavement, and ultimately concluded that she would not return.
In a statement, Starmer paid tribute to her contribution: “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 for ever be grateful for her calm, wise counsel, leadership and humour.”
Driver herself offered warm words on her departure, calling it “an honour to work with and advise Keir through opposition and into government”. She added: “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.”
She expressed pride in the early record of Starmer’s government and thanked the “sharp and talented No 10 press team” for their support during her tenure. Despite leaving her post, she pledged “unwavering support” for Labour’s administration and noted that Starmer had left “an open door” should she wish to return.
Driver’s departure comes amid a reshaping of the Downing Street communications operation. Earlier this month, Starmer brought in Tim Allan – a veteran of Tony Blair’s No 10 team and founder of the Portland PR firm – as executive director of government communications. The appointment effectively placed Allan above both Driver and Lyons in the hierarchy, and while the move was presented as a strengthening of the team, it also shifted internal dynamics.
Matthew Doyle, another Blair-era veteran who served as Starmer’s long-time adviser, resigned as director of communications in March after less than a year in government. With Lyons and Ovenden now gone, and Driver stepping aside, the shake-up leaves Allan with significant influence over the government’s messaging.
For Labour MPs, the changes have reignited debate over whether Starmer’s communications set-up is fit for purpose. Some have long argued that Downing Street lacks a coherent strategy, with too many competing voices and not enough political sharpness.
The criticisms intensified after a series of political missteps, including a damaging backbench revolt over welfare reform and the fumbled dismissal of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington. While aides insist these were isolated incidents, many MPs believe they point to a wider weakness in Starmer’s political judgement rather than simply a failure of messaging.
Driver’s exit is being viewed within Westminster as a significant personal loss for the prime minister, who had relied on her steady hand throughout his rise to power. Insiders say Starmer made a personal appeal for her to remain, underlining the value he placed on her counsel.
Her departure, however amicable, underscores the unsettled nature of No 10’s communications team at a time when the government faces pressure to deliver on its election promises and navigate an unforgiving media environment.
For Starmer, the challenge will be to reassure his party that the churn at the heart of Downing Street is part of a planned refresh rather than evidence of dysfunction. Whether the appointment of Allan – and the new structure around him – provides the stability Labour craves remains to be seen.
But in losing Driver, Starmer has said goodbye to one of the most constant figures of his political journey so far, and one who helped steer him from opposition to a historic general election victory.
