Prime Minister Keir Starmer has moved to shake up his Downing Street operation, replacing a senior aide in a shift that underscores his intention to tighten control over government delivery.
Nin Pandit, the prime minister’s top civil service aide, is set to leave her role less than a year after taking up the position. Officials at No. 10 dismissed claims that she was stepping down, stressing instead that she would move into a newly created policy delivery role. They added that Starmer himself would assume greater oversight of government execution.
Pandit, once hailed by Dominic Cummings as one of “the brilliant women around the table” who could have performed the role of prime minister “10 times better” than Boris Johnson, will now be succeeded by Dan York-Smith as Starmer’s principal private secretary.
York-Smith’s arrival is seen as a deliberate effort to strengthen economic expertise inside Downing Street. He is a seasoned Treasury figure who has helped steer economic strategy for six chancellors and has overseen complex areas of tax and welfare. The move signals that Starmer may be preparing to place greater emphasis on financial and infrastructure issues, though no additional appointments to his policy unit have yet been announced.
Economic Focus Shapes Downing Street Direction
According to sources, further structural changes are anticipated. However, they maintained that Chris Wormald, the cabinet secretary, remains secure in his position despite internal criticism from some colleagues who have suggested he has been underperforming.
Downing Street insiders have strongly denied suggestions that Pandit was either sacked or sidelined. They emphasized that she continues to enjoy the full confidence of the Prime Minister and will retain an important role at the heart of the administration. The precise nature of her new responsibilities has not been disclosed.
A former executive at NHS Digital, Pandit first joined No. 10 to concentrate on health policy. She later became director of the policy unit before taking on the highly influential role of principal private secretary to the prime minister.
Her appointment last autumn triggered a fierce internal struggle at a time of upheaval following Sue Gray’s departure. Gray, who had clashed with Starmer’s team, had hoped to place Daniel Gieve in the role. Instead, Pandit won out, backed by Morgan McSweeney, who stepped in as chief of staff after Gray’s contentious exit.
The principal private secretary role is widely considered one of the most pivotal posts in government, responsible for coordinating the prime minister’s daily agenda and shaping the relationship between ministers and the civil service.
Junior Ministerial Reshuffle Expected Soon
Starmer is also preparing to refresh his ministerial team, with changes expected among junior ministers in the coming weeks. The prime minister is reportedly keen to promote younger figures from the newly elected intake as part of an effort to broaden his front bench.
At least one vacancy remains following the resignation of Rushanara Ali, the former homelessness minister, who quit shortly before the summer recess amid allegations linked to her role as a landlord.
For now, the latest restructuring of Starmer’s Downing Street office highlights his determination to bolster expertise in economic management while ensuring his leadership maintains closer control over delivery. With more changes on the horizon, the shake-up points to an evolving style of governance that prioritizes oversight and policy execution at the very centre of power.
READ ALSO: Kim, Putin To Attend China’s “Victory Day” Parade
