Labour veteran Matthew Doyle has stepped down as Sir Keir Starmer’s communications director, just nine months after the general election. Doyle, a former aide to Tony Blair, was brought in four years ago to overhaul Labour’s messaging during its time in opposition. His departure follows that of chief of staff Sue Gray last autumn, marking the second senior exit from Starmer’s team in under a year.
Doyle’s surprise resignation, effective immediately, has prompted a reshuffle, with James Lyons set to become director of communications (strategy) and Steph Driver taking on director of communications (delivery). Insiders suggest Doyle had been “increasingly detached for some time,” with Lyons already effectively leading communications.
A seasoned strategist with over 25 years in Labour politics, Doyle began as the party’s head of press in 1998 before advising David Blunkett and later joining Blair’s Downing Street team. After Blair left office, Doyle worked with former Foreign Secretary David Miliband before joining Starmer in 2021—a low point for Labour following its Hartlepool by-election defeat.
In an email to colleagues, Doyle said: “When I started working for Keir four years ago, few believed we could win so decisively. It’s down to the hard work of many—and Keir’s leadership. Now it’s time to pass the baton.”
The shakeup comes as Downing Street restructures its communications team, with Driver handling daily media relations and Lyons managing the government’s announcement strategy. The changes follow internal tensions, including the ousting of former chief of staff Sue Gray, now in the House of Lords.
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