A new term, a new line-up on the assembly platform. As pupils return to school, in many places they and their parents will be confronted with some fresh teachers. So it is with 10 Downing Street. On his first day back, Sir Keir Starmer has made a series of appointments designed to strengthen his team.
The key move is that of Darren Jones, plucked from the Treasury where he was chief secretary, effectively Rachel Reeves’ No 2, into a specially created role of chief secretary to the prime minister, in charge of “driving forward progress in policy areas and reporting directly to the prime minister”.
