Steph Driver has announced her departure from Downing Street after five years serving as Keir Starmer’s head of communications while in opposition. She subsequently took on the roles of deputy director and then director of communications in government. A government source confirmed the news, which was first reported by The Guardian.
Driver is the latest long-standing and trusted aide of Starmer to leave the Prime Minister’s office. Her exit follows closely on the heels of Paul Ovenden’s resignation as director of strategy, which came after revelations about sexually explicit messages he sent in 2017 concerning veteran MP Diane Abbott.
This change marks another significant shift in the Prime Minister’s press operation. Earlier this month, James Lyons also stepped down from his role as communications chief. He has since been replaced by Tim Allan, a former adviser to ex-Prime Minister Tony Blair and founder of the communications firm Portland.
Speaking to The Guardian, the Prime Minister paid tribute to Driver’s contributions:
“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 response, Driver reflected on her time in the team:
“Being part of the team to rebuild and rebrand the Labour party before securing a historic general election victory is an achievement and experience like no other.”
Her departure comes just days before the Labour conference in Liverpool, where Starmer will face pressure to reassure MPs and members that his government can recover from recent challenges and effectively counter Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party.
https://www.politicshome.com/news/article/keir-starmers-head-communications-steps-down