The Prime Minister’s head of communications is to quit his Number 10 job after just nine months. Matthew Doyle is standing down as Keir Starmer’s director of communications. He is a Labour veteran who worked closely with former Prime Minister Tony Blair.
His role will now be split between two people – former Daily Mirror journalist James Lyons, who will be responsible for communications strategy, and Steph Driver, who was deputy director of communications, Pippa Crear of the Guardian reports.
It follows long-running complaints within Labour circles that the Government is failing to explain its message to voters. However the situation is seen to have improved since Mr Lyons began a communications role in Number 10 four months ago.
He is a former Political Editor of the Mirror who left journalism for a high-flying career in PR, including leading communications for the NHS and for Tik Tok’s operations in Europe.
In an email to Number 10 colleagues reported by the Guardian Mr Doyle wrote: “When I started working for Keir four years ago, not many people thought we could win a general election and certainly not in the emphatic way we did. That was down to the hard work and determination of so many people and of course Keir’s leadership.
“I am incredibly proud of the part I have played in returning our party to government and the change we are already bringing to the country.
“Now it’s time to pass the baton on.”
He went on to say: “To my political colleagues, we’ve been on quite a journey, and I look forward to cheering you, Keir and the whole government on from the sidelines. I can’t wait to see what you all do next.”
It is understood that his resignation takes effect immediately.
Mr Doyle is the second senior member of Sir Keir’s team to quit Downing Street following the resignation of Sue Gray, the Prime Minister’s former chief of staff.
He is reported to have decided to go after feeling he had improved No 10’s communications strategy following concerns that it fialed ot get its message across following last year’s general election. Labour initially focused on claiming it had inherited a “black hole” from the Conservatives in the public finances, but this was seen as too gloomy while the only announcement that made an impact was the decision to means-test winter fuel payments for pensioners, which was hugely controversial.
More recently however the government has started to talk about plans to grow the economy. It also says it has a “plan for change”, a phrase which is now repeated by Government ministers and in official statements to the media.
Mr Lyons is well-liked among Westminster journalists and is one of the few people in the Downing Street team with direct experience of working in the media. He also has experience of leading communications campaigns in the private sector
