Another prominent ally of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is exiting the government as senior Treasury aide Matt Pound confirmed his departure today. Pound will leave his position as political secretary to Chancellor Rachel Reeves immediately after she delivers her Spring Statement next week.
Departure Timing and Mutual Agreement
Treasury sources have indicated that Pound is stepping down from his role as one of Reeves' top advisers to pursue fresh professional challenges. It is understood that both Reeves and Pound mutually agreed that the period following the Spring Statement represents an appropriate transition point for his departure as he seeks new opportunities.
Extensive Labour Party Service
Matt Pound has dedicated more than a decade to Labour Party service, beginning with his involvement in Sir Keir Starmer's successful 2020 leadership campaign. He subsequently served as Starmer's head of political organising during Labour's opposition period before taking on the role of political director for elections at the party's headquarters.
During this tenure, Pound worked closely with Morgan McSweeney, who himself resigned as Sir Keir's chief of staff earlier this month. Following Labour's decisive general election victory in July 2024, Pound transitioned to work directly for Chancellor Rachel Reeves at the Treasury.
Broader Pattern of Departures
Pound's exit follows a series of high-profile departures from the upper echelons of government. In addition to McSweeney's resignation, Sir Keir recently lost his communications director Tim Allan. The embattled Prime Minister also ousted Cabinet Secretary Sir Chris Wormald just nineteen months after personally selecting him as Britain's top civil servant.
These personnel changes occur as Sir Keir attempts another reset of his faltering premiership in the aftermath of the Peter Mandelson scandal, which directly prompted McSweeney's departure from Number 10. The Prime Minister faces mounting pressure from Labour MPs to dismantle what critics describe as a 'boys club' culture within Downing Street.
Statements from Key Figures
In his departure statement, Matt Pound reflected: 'Working alongside Rachel to rebuild our economy after 14 years of Conservative chaos is something I will be forever grateful for and will never forget. We have come a long way to turn the Labour Party around from electoral oblivion in 2019 to a historic general election victory just five years later, and it is a privilege to have been a part of that.'
He added: 'To Rachel and my excellent colleagues over the years, I will continue to support you as you strive to deliver the change the country needs.'
Chancellor Rachel Reeves responded with praise: 'Matt's role in transforming the Labour Party and securing a historic general election win was nothing short of pivotal. On entering Government to a dire inheritance and a £22 billion Conservative black hole, he has played a key part in helping fix the foundations of the economy and deliver the change we were elected to do.'
Reeves concluded: 'I am incredibly grateful for his hard work, loyalty and expertise, and wish him all the very best in what comes next.'
