Blairite Revival Reset Fails to Fix Cabinet Office – Guido Fawkes

Blairite Revival Reset Fails to Fix Cabinet Office

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There are worries that Starmer’s 23rd reset does not go far enough. At least Tony Blair is happy…

The initial “too abrasive” assessment of outgoing strategic communications director James Lyons has been borne out and his replacement Tim Allan – the appointment of whom Lyons was opposed – is viewed dimly by some government sources. Allan is a personal confidant of Blair and Alistair Campbell and is viewed by some as ”yet another Blairite” who had it easy as deputy Downing Street communications director in the early New Labour years. Another source in No10 tells Guido all hopes are on the “1990s retread” now. Labour insiders naturally point to the lack of the internet, loads of cash from the Major ministry, and strong sustained GDP growth…

Personnel changes to fix malaise in the private office and more effectively assign responsibility on policy and delivery have gone down well in general. The lack of movement in the Cabinet Office has not…

As Guido reported earlier in the summer the “engine of government” is seen as dysfunctional and there have been no changes to its top roster during this “reset.” Hated Cabinet Secretary Chris Wormald is still in place as well as permanent and second permanent secretaries Cat Little and Clara Swinson. One Downing Street source said newly promoted Darren Jones “could be very useful” if he was paired with an effective Cabinet Secretary or Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary. Olly Robbins and Antonia Romeo are names that come up as potential replacements…

There are many other operators thought of as ineffective including the Labour Party communications director Joe Dancey – boyfriend of Streeting – who had his beefy role downgraded in May. Doesn’t look like he got the hint…

A junior ministerial reshuffle is still on the way and is expected by some government insiders to kick off next week. Safe to say Starmer has run out of people to blame at only 13 months in…

UPDATE: Joe Dancey departing from his communications role. Someone’s listening…