Keir Starmer's Head Of Communications Steps Down
2 min read
Keir Starmer's head of communications has stepped down in the latest major change to the Prime Minister's operation.
Steph Driver spent five years as Starmer's head of communications while in opposition, before serving as deputy director and then director of communications in government. A government source confirmed the news that was first reported by The Guardian.
She is the latest long-standing and trusted aide of Starmer to leave Downing Street. Last week, Paul Ovenden resigned as director of strategy over sexually explicit messages about veteran MP Diane Abbott sent in 2017.
Her exit also represents another significant change to the PM's press operation, with James Lyons leaving his role as communications chief at the start of this month. He was replaced by Tim Allan, who previously advised former prime minister Tony Blair before going on to set up communications firm Portland.
The Prime Minister told The Guardian: “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. I wish her all the best in her undoubted onward success."
Driver said: "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."
Her departure comes days before Labour conference in Liverpool, where Starmer will be under pressure to reassure MPs and members that his government can recover from a rocky few weeks and take the fight to Nigel Farage's Reform UK.
