Sir Keir Starmer has moved swiftly to appoint two internal deputies as his new joint chiefs of staff, following the enforced departure of Morgan McSweeney. The Prime Minister, who is battling to stabilise his premiership, has promoted Vidhya Alakeson and Jill Cuthbertson to the pivotal Downing Street roles. This decision comes as the controversy surrounding Lord Peter Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to the United States intensifies, due to his past associations with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Internal Promotions Amid Political Turmoil
Morgan McSweeney was compelled to resign from his position as Downing Street chief of staff as the Mandelson scandal escalated. Sir Keir Starmer has insisted that the government's agenda, which he and McSweeney were collaboratively advancing, will remain unchanged. The Prime Minister has emphasised a "relentless" ongoing focus on addressing the cost of living crisis. In a clear signal of continuity rather than upheaval, Starmer opted to look within the existing Downing Street operation for McSweeney's replacement, instead of seeking external candidates.
Shortly after McSweeney's resignation was formally announced, staff were informed that his two former deputies would be stepping up. Vidhya Alakeson and Jill Cuthbertson have now been tasked with leading the struggling Downing Street operation as joint chiefs of staff. Their immediate challenge is to steady the ship of Sir Keir's administration during a period of significant political pressure.
Profiles of the New Joint Chiefs
Vidhya Alakeson: The Trusted Policy Expert
Vidhya Alakeson, aged 49, has long been one of Sir Keir Starmer's most trusted aides. She served as his political director during his tenure as Leader of the Opposition. Her professional background is deeply rooted in policy development, having previously worked for the influential Resolution Foundation thinktank. This organisation has played a significant role in shaping Labour's economic policy, even during its more uncertain phases.
Alakeson also spent time as the chief executive of Power to Change, a National Lottery Community Fund-backed trust. The organisation's mission was to strengthen communities through community business, aiming to tackle major societal challenges like climate change, digital transformation, and social inequalities at a local level. Academically accomplished, she holds degrees from both Oxford University and the London School of Economics. Her contributions were recognised with an OBE in 2021. Ms Alakeson was privately educated at Wimbledon High School for girls.
Jill Cuthbertson: The Experienced Government Insider
Jill Cuthbertson is a seasoned Labour Party government operative with extensive experience at the highest levels. She played a notable role in the 2016 referendum campaign to remain in the European Union, serving as events manager for Britain Stronger in Europe. Cuthbertson has been a long-time aide to Sir Keir, previously holding the position of director of his private office until the 2024 general election. Following the election, she was appointed director of government relations.
Her tenure in that role was brief, as she was soon promoted to joint deputy chief of staff. This promotion occurred after Sue Gray was forced out as chief of staff and replaced by Morgan McSweeney. Cuthbertson's career includes serving as a private secretary to former Labour leaders Ed Miliband and Gordon Brown, and earlier to Cherie Blair. She was Gordon Brown's political office manager during his time as Prime Minister. In her personal life, Ms Cuthbertson is married to Mo Hussein, a former special adviser to Conservative Home Secretary Amber Rudd. The couple met while working on the Remain campaign during the 2016 referendum.
The Road Ahead for Downing Street
The appointment of Alakeson and Cuthbertson represents a deliberate choice by Sir Keir Starmer to maintain stability and internal continuity. By elevating two deputies who are intimately familiar with his agenda and the inner workings of Downing Street, the Prime Minister hopes to navigate the ongoing political storm. Their combined expertise in policy development, government relations, and political management will be critical as the administration seeks to refocus public attention on its domestic priorities, particularly the cost of living, while managing the fallout from the Mandelson controversy.
