Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, has suggested that Keir Starmer may be considering setting out a timetable for his departure, marking a significant shift in tone from previous cabinet ministers. During a round of broadcast interviews this morning, Jones was notably equivocal when asked about Starmer’s future, refusing to rule out the possibility of the prime minister announcing a resignation schedule.
Jones Avoids Direct Endorsement
On Times Radio, Jones was asked if Starmer was considering a resignation timetable. He replied: “He’s listening to colleagues and he’s talking to colleagues. I can’t get ahead of any decision he might take.” This contrasts sharply with Peter Kyle, the business secretary, who was bullish in his support for Starmer during the same slot yesterday.
Sky News Interview
In an interview with Sky News’ Sophy Ridge, Jones took the same cautious line. When asked if he had spoken to the prime minister, Jones said: “I spoke to the prime minister last night, as you would expect, and he is talking to colleagues who have raised issues yesterday. But he was also very clear, as I’m sure all of my colleagues are, that coming into the office this morning, we’re absolutely focussed on our jobs, on delivering the things that we’ve promised to deliver for the public.”
Ridge pressed Jones on whether he expected Starmer to lead the party into the next election—a question that cabinet ministers have almost always answered in the affirmative until today. Jones replied: “I’m not going to get ahead of any decision that the prime minister may or may not take.”
Resignation Timetable
When asked directly if Starmer was considering setting out a timetable for his resignation, Jones said: “Obviously colleagues are asking the prime minister to consider different options in the future. And, as I say, he rightfully is listening to them. It’d be wrong if he wasn’t listening to them.” He repeated his line about not wanting to “get ahead of any decision the prime minister may or may not take in the future.”
Ridge expressed surprise at the tone of Jones’ replies, saying she felt it was “all coming to an end.” Jones did not accept that characterization but admitted he was “sad that we’re in this situation in the first place” and sad about the election results.
Private Conversations
Asked about reports that Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has asked Starmer to set out a resignation timetable, Jones declined to discuss private conversations but stressed that politics is a team activity. When asked if he knew what Starmer had decided, Jones again refused to comment on private discussions, adding: “The prime minister has got an important job to do as prime minister of our country. He’s got an important job as leader of the Labour party. And if the prime minister decides to say anything further to his speech yesterday, I’m sure he’ll come and do that on Sky News very shortly.”
