![\"London](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/nl-header_politico_london-playbook.png\")
\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n<\/tr>\nBy EMILIO CASALICCHIO<\/strong><\/p>\n with NOAH KEATE<\/strong><\/p>\n Good afternoon.<\/strong> This is Emilio Casalicchio.<\/p>\n MONDAY CHEAT SHEET<\/p>\n \u2014 Keir Starmer launched another Downing Street reset with a claim his administration is entering \u201cphase two.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2014 Rising star minister Darren Jones got a big promotion to No.10 while another comms chief is off.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2014 There are mixed reviews of all the moves. We have the full goss.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2014 Yvette Cooper confirmed significant restrictions to refugee reunions between families.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2014 Kemi Badenoch continued her war with the Guardian.<\/strong><\/p>\n **A message from Google:<\/strong> Our Be Internet Legends programme has already helped millions of children learn online safety skills and be confident digital explorers. On Thursday 11th September, you\u2019re invited to join thousands of parents\/carers, teachers and students for our annual \u2018Back to School\u2019 assembly, in partnership with Parent Zone. Learn more: parentzone.org.uk\/beinternetlegends<\/a>.**<\/strong><\/p>\n TOP OF THE NEWSLIST<\/p>\n DRINK TO THE RESET: <\/strong>Labour MPs will tonight toast the big Keir Starmer government reset \u2026 and cross their fingers it turns their miserable poll ratings around. <\/p>\n Fixed smiles and warm wine:<\/strong> Backbenchers have been invited to a reception at Labour HQ in Southwark from 7 p.m. The PM is not addressing the event, Playbook PM is told. But can we ever trust what these press aides tell us? <\/p>\n A metaphor for his government:<\/strong> Indeed, hours after Downing Street officials insisted to reporters there would be no ministerial reshuffle this week \u2026 the reshuffle, with a press release ready to go, began. To be fair, it consisted of one big change on the ministerial front (plus some backfilling) but some pretty significant movements inside the No.10 machine.<\/p>\n The big one:<\/strong> HMT second-in-command Darren Jones<\/strong> has been shifted into No.10 to become \u201cchief secretary to the prime minister\u201d \u2014 a role that hasn\u2019t existed until now. He will be based in No.10 and take \u201coperational oversight\u201d of delivery for the PM, with the delivery unit moved from the Cabinet Office into Downing Street. He will work hand-in-hand (no squabbling, lads) with Pat McFadden, who will to continue to focus on delivery across the departments from the Cabinet Office. The mission boards and all that jazz will remain in place on the back-end.<\/p>\n The short title:<\/strong> It sounds from the Downing Street explanations like Jones will be the minister for making sh*t happen \u2014 in what sounds like an admission too little sh*t happened in Starmer\u2019s first 14 months in power. Playbook PM is told Jones will report to both the PM and McFadden. What could possibly go wrong?<\/p>\n The back-filling:<\/strong> Former junior HMT minister James Murray<\/strong> \u2014 known as a safe pair of hands \u2014 replaces Jones in the Treasury gig. His elevation to the Cabinet means Labour weakens its credentials<\/a> on having a state-educated top team. Chipping Barnet MP Dan Tomlinson <\/strong>\u2014 who was the PM\u2019s \u201cgrowth champion\u201d and, like HMT minister Torsten Bell, is an alumni of the Resolution Foundation \u2014 has replaced Murray.<\/p>\n On the proper back-end:<\/strong> The PM\u2019s deputy chief of staff Vidhya Alakeson<\/strong> \u2014 said to be popular among departmental SpAds \u2014 has been promoted to take oversight of policy and delivery \u2026 while Daniel York-Smith<\/strong> has been confirmed as the new top civil service aide to the PM, after covering tax and welfare in HMT \u2026 and Minouche Shafik<\/strong>, ex-of Columbia University<\/a>, the Bank of England and the aid department, has been confirmed as his new economic adviser.<\/p>\n Benched \u2026 or henched?<\/strong> Alakeson appears to replace both former Head of Policy Stuart Ingham<\/strong> and former head of policy delivery Liz Lloyd<\/strong>, who is moving out of No.10. The Beeb\u2019s Henry Zeffman got those first<\/a>.<\/p>\n Answers on a postcard: <\/strong>No-one is quite sure what Ingham\u2019s new title, \u201csenior counsel to the prime minister and director of strategic interventions,\u201d means. Although allies insist it\u2019s a stronger role in the political unit. Lloyd is expected to move elsewhere in government.<\/p>\n Also out:<\/strong> Head of the No.10 Policy Unit Olaf Henricson-Bell<\/strong> is leaving his role, our Dan Bloom scooped<\/a>.<\/p>\n Is it just Playbook PM \u2026 <\/strong>or are all these overlapping policy roles mind-bendingly confusing? That is part of the rationale for the changes, according to insiders. Three directors of policy were creating a confused leadership structure. Although some SpAds are still confused about who runs policy, since Alakeson remains a deputy to Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney.<\/p>\n Also confusing: <\/strong>Starmer replaced his two directors of communication with \u2026 two directors of communication. Times Pol Ed Steven Swinford scooped this morning<\/a> that James Lyons <\/strong>is out less than 12 months after joining the operation. But rather than leaving the remaining DoC, Steph Driver<\/strong>, in place alone, Starmer appointed Blair-era comms aide Tim Allan<\/strong> as a second DoC. <\/p>\n However, however, however:<\/strong> Officials insist Allan will focus on the overarching comms strategy, while Driver will make the daily decisions. \u201cShe will be CEO and he will be chair \u2014 and everyone knows where the power is in that relationship,\u201d one person said.<\/p>\n Just to help matters:<\/strong> Commentator Steve Richards recalled<\/a> Allan\u2019s leaving drinks from No.10 in 1998, when Blair noted, half joking: \u201cTim\u2019s even more right wing than me.\u201d<\/p>\n So what is this all about?<\/strong> Some on the inside argue it\u2019s the PM taking control, acknowledging weaknesses and putting more trust in those closest to him. Others accept it\u2019s about fixing problems \u2014 and agree with the need for people with more experience. One person clued into the Starmer regime said the changes are about putting the correct structure into No.10 after it was not done at the start of the administration or after Sue Gray was booted out in October.<\/p>\n The more cutting assessment:<\/strong> Economist Paul Johnson told Times Radio the reshuffle shows how \u201cstaggeringly unprepared\u201d Labour was for government. <\/p>\n Pretending the world is not as it is: <\/strong>No.10 of course denies the Starmer administration has been floundering, and claims the changes this morning are all part of the grand plan. The line is that year one was about stabilization in the wake of the Conservative binfire, and that now attention can be turned in year two to \u201cturbocharging\u201d implementation. The PM\u2019s spokesperson said the changes will \u201cbolster\u201d the capability of No.10.<\/p>\n Forced to be a little bit honest: <\/strong>In an interview on Radio 5 Live this afternoon<\/a>, presenter Matt Chorley managed to make Starmer admit he had been \u201cfrustrated\u201d about how slow things have been \u2014 although the PM still gave the spin line about phase one being \u201cfixing the foundations\u201d and phase two being \u201cdelivery, delivery, delivery.\u201d He even put out a little video<\/a> making the claim. \u201cSad we missed phase one,\u201d quipped one former Labour aide.<\/p>\n A quick note on that front:<\/strong> The public may not appreciate the PM obfuscating about things not quite going to plan. Check out this Tony Blair clip<\/a> (which Dan Bloom flagged in his great piece<\/a> on the delivery struggles of the Starmer administration) in which the then-PM admits being totally blindsided by an issue. Almost no politician speaks like this now \u2014 and instead they seem fixed on pretending mistakes and weaknesses do not exist.<\/p>\n From weakness to power:<\/strong> Starmer told Chorley the changes are about making No.10 \u201cmore powerful to drive through the changes we need.\u201d His press sec, asked by Playbook PM whether the PM thinks he has wasted time since entering office, said Starmer \u201cwants to make sure the entire government is delivering for the British people.\u201d<\/p>\n How it\u2019s all landed: <\/strong>Most people Playbook PM has spoken to seem pleased about Jones. He is seen as sensible, strong on the media and able to deliver things behind the scenes, after leading the spending review negotiations. Suspicions were raised after he began texting MPs \u2014 including some he has never spoken to before \u2014 over the weekend asking how their summers were. At least it\u2019s an indication No.10 knows it needs to keep backbenchers on side.<\/p>\n And on the internal changes:<\/strong> The reviews seem to swing between great news and the kick up the backside the government needed, and despondence that nothing will ever change. \u201cThe deckchairs on the Titanic attack line is pretty accurate sadly,\u201d said one close observer with skin in the game. \u201cAnd it\u2019s just going to keep happening until it\u2019s Keir and Rachel that are the ones getting moved on.\u201d Eek.<\/p>\n Indeed: <\/strong>Spectator Pol Ed Tim Shipman commented<\/a>: \u201cOne more heave and Starmer\u2019s glaring political weaknesses will be solved, comrades! PM running out of people to blame for his own lack of direction.\u201d Ouch. And on the comms front, ex-No.10 aide Lee Cain<\/a> noted that Starmer might want to think about what his message is, rather than how it\u2019s delivered. Double ouch.<\/p>\n Fingers crossed, eh:<\/strong> \u201cToday\u2019s restructure and personnel changes in No.10 probably go wider than some expected \u2014 the proof of how effective they are will take a few months to tell, but the priority of PM is clear: to deliver change for British people and fast,\u201d said one former No.10 aide. \u201cThe reality is that it has to work this time for the government to change the prevailing political weather.\u201d<\/p>\n Chaos experts weigh in: <\/strong>\u201cThis chaotic reshuffle shows a Downing Street in crisis,\u201d Conservative Chair Kevin Hollinrake said. \u201cIt\u2019s like firefighters arguing about the hose whilst the house burns down.\u201d No giggling at the back. Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick had fun too.<\/a><\/p>\n More to come:<\/strong> Insiders reckon there are more personnel changes coming, not to mention a reshuffle among lower-rung ministers.<\/p>\n DRIVETIME DEBRIEF<\/p>\n PUT THAT FAMILY REUNION ON ICE:<\/strong>\u00a0Yvette Cooper this afternoon confirmed to the Commons she will temporarily suspend the current refugee family reunion route while a new system is drawn up. The new regime is expected to lengthen the time before refugees can apply to bring their families to the U.K. and introduce contribution requirements. Until then, refugees will be covered by the same family migration rules as everyone else.<\/p>\n In quotes:<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cWe do need to address the immediate pressures on local authorities and the risks from criminal gangs using family reunion as a pull factor to encourage more people onto dangerous boats,\u201d Cooper said.\u00a0The Mirror\u2019s Dave Burke<\/a> dug out some Cooper quotes from 2021 in which she warned a lack of safe legal routes for family reunion will drive more people into the hands of gangs.\u00a0<\/p>\n Just flagging:<\/strong>\u00a0Cooper also joined the PM in the summer flag-flying lovefest. Waving flags and singing \u201cGod Save the King\u201d is done so with pride because flags represent \u201ctogetherness, fairness and decency,\u201d Cooper said. Starmer earlier\u00a0told the BBC<\/a>\u00a0he was \u201ca supporter of flags\u201d and had a St George\u2019s flag in his Downing Street flat. The PM\u2019s spokesperson told reporters he hadn\u2019t seen it, but tried to impart to reporters it\u2019s well big.\u00a0<\/p>\n Further reading:\u00a0<\/strong>My colleague Annabelle Dickson<\/a>\u00a0delved into what is going on with all this flag-flying last week, and how politicians should respond. Ex-Labour minister John Denham told her politicians should be quite relaxed about the movement.\u00a0<\/p>\n STILL TO COME IN THE COMMONS:<\/strong>\u00a0Foreign Secretary David Lammy is delivering a statement about Gaza \u2026 after which Defense Secretary John Healey will deliver one about Ukraine.\u00a0<\/p>\n WARBURTON DEAD:<\/strong> Former Conservative MP David Warburton \u2014 who quit the Commons amid allegations of sexual misconduct which were later withdrawn \u2014 was found dead in a West London flat. The BBC has a writeup.<\/a><\/p>\n KEMI VS THE GUARDIAN PART 94:\u00a0<\/strong>Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch dismissed\u00a0the Guardian report<\/a>\u00a0casting doubt on her claims she was offered a place at a prestigious U.S. medical school at 16. In a TV clip she said the Guardian is \u201creporting on hearsay\u201d and \u201ccan try and cast aspersions as much as they like.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n RAYNING ON THE RESET PARADE:\u00a0<\/strong>Starmer heaped praise on Angela Rayner and of course ignored questions on 5 Live about whether she swerved tax when she bought a flat in Hove. He said she was an \u201cincredible prime minister\u201d \u2014 before correcting his Freudian slip to \u201cdeputy prime minister.\u201d Downing Street said Rayner cannot give full information about her housing arrangements due to a court order which she is attempting to lift so she can set the record straight.<\/p>\n LATEST REFORM PRESS CONFERENCE:<\/strong>\u00a0Reform\u2019s Richard Tice and Zia Yusuf claimed in a Westminster press conference this morning that \u201crip off\u201d local government pension schemes are overcharging and underperforming for taxpayers.\u00a0The FT has a writeup<\/a>.<\/p>\n WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO TALK ABOUT:\u00a0<\/strong>Eight new areas are joining an existing 20 running a pilot aimed at giving child victims of sexual abuse faster protection and care.\u00a0<\/p>\n WHAT THE GOVERNMENT DOESN\u2019T WANT TO TALK ABOUT:\u00a0<\/strong>A government AI trial found the tech helped civil servants make \u201csmall\u201d time savings \u2014 not quite matching big claims from ministers about how AI can transform the state. Our\u00a0<\/a>Pro Tech U.K. colleagues<\/a>\u00a0discovered the findings in the small print of\u00a0<\/a>the business department\u2019s Microsoft Copilot trial<\/a>, which was unable to determine whether the limited time savings increased productivity.<\/p>\n **Are you an Playbook fan, and French reader?<\/strong> Then you’ll love Le Weekly, our upcoming weekly French newsletter! Every Saturday at 10 am, enjoy a selection of the best articles powered by our international newsrooms, with additional insights, analyses and perspectives offered by Nicolas Barr\u00e9, Editor-in-Chief. Sign up today<\/a> to start receiving Le Weekly on September 6!**<\/p>\n SOCIAL (MEDIA) AFFAIRS<\/p>\n JOURNOS OF TOMORROW:\u00a0<\/strong>Rachel Reeves marked\u00a0schools returning<\/a>\u00a0with a tough grilling from the kids. \u201cI\u2019ve been hearing about you in the news that you like taxes,\u201d one said, to a nervous laugh from the chancellor.<\/p>\n BEYOND THE M25<\/p>\n SIGNATURE MOVE:<\/strong>\u00a0The Nottingham Post set up a\u00a0petition<\/a>\u00a0telling Nottinghamshire County Council\u2019s Reform UK Leader Mick Barton to \u201cstop hiding from press scrutiny\u201d after the party\u2019s local councilors were banned from talking to the paper and Nottinghamshire Live. More than 25,000 people signed the petition saying councillors \u201ccan control the story and hide the truth\u201d when they pick and choose which hacks to speak to.<\/p>\n NORTH OF THE BORDER:<\/strong>\u00a0Anas Sarwar said \u201cthere\u2019s a genocide happening in Gaza\u201d\u00a0 after he was confronted during a return from recess speech. The Scottish Labour leader\u2019s remarks were also overshadowed by protestors chanting in the atrium below him at Glasgow Caledonian University.\u00a0The Scotsman has more<\/a>.<\/p>\n VDL MENACED:\u00a0<\/strong>European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen\u2019s plane was hit by GPS interference during her tour visiting \u201cfrontline states\u201d\u00a0Sunday. While the plane landed safely in Bulgaria, it was unable to use electronic navigational aids.\u00a0My colleague Pieter Haeck has further info<\/a>.<\/p>\n NO WHISPERING HERE:\u00a0<\/strong>Chinese President Xi Jinping\u00a0criticized other countries\u2019 \u201cbullying practices\u201d\u00a0at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Tianjin where Russia\u2019s Vladimir Putin was in attendance. In a swipe at U.S. President Donald Trump, Xi positioned Beijing as the upholder of \u201cfairness and justice.\u201d\u00a0POLITICO\u2019s Ketrin Jochecov\u00e1 has the latest<\/a>.<\/p>\n IN AFGHANISTAN:<\/strong>\u00a0More than 800 people have been killed and at least 2,800 injured after a 6.0 magnitude earthquake hit Afghanistan\u2019s northeastern remote province of Kuna. Sky News has the rundown<\/a>.<\/p>\n **A message from Google:<\/strong> Children today are growing up in a digital world, so giving them the tools and knowledge to make good decisions online is essential. Google\u2019s Be Internet Legends programme helps children learn key online safety skills and offers fun interactive materials to help them become confident online. Research by IPSOS Mori found that kids are twice as likely to show a better understanding of internet safety after taking part in the programme. The curriculum also helps children understand the impact of AI, and how to use it safely. On Thursday 11th September, join thousands of parents\/carers, teachers and students for our annual Back to School assembly, in partnership with Parent Zone. Learn more at: parentzone.org.uk\/beinternetlegends<\/a>.**<\/strong><\/p>\n TONIGHT\u2019S MEDIA ROUND<\/p>\n LEADING THE NEWS BULLETINS:<\/strong> Channel 5 News<\/strong>\u00a0(5 p.m.), BBC News at Six<\/strong>, ITV Evening News<\/strong>\u00a0(6.30 p.m.) and Channel 4 News<\/strong>\u00a0(7 p.m.) all focus on Home Secretary Yvette Cooper\u2019s changes to asylum rules.<\/p>\n Tom Swarbrick at Drive<\/strong>\u00a0(LBC, until 6 p.m.):\u00a0Labour peer and former Cabinet Minister John Hutton <\/strong>(5.05 p.m.). <\/p>\n Drive with John Pienaar<\/strong>\u00a0(Times Radio, until 7 p.m.): Skills Minister Jacqui Smith<\/strong> \u2026 Refugee Council CEO Enver Solomon<\/strong> \u2026 Belarusian politician Franak Viacorka<\/strong> \u2026 APCO Worldwide\u2019s Jo Tanner<\/strong> and ConHome\u2019s Henry Hill <\/strong>(both 6 p.m.). <\/p>\n BBC PM<\/strong>\u00a0(Radio 4, 5 p.m.): Jacqui Smith<\/strong> \u2026 Migration Observatory Director Madeleine Sumption<\/strong>.<\/p>\n News Hour <\/strong>(Sky News, 5 p.m.):\u00a0Save the Children Afghanistan Advocacy Director Samira Sayed Rahman<\/strong> (5.30 p.m.) \u2026 Tony Blair\u2019s former Political Secretary John McTernan<\/strong> (5.45 p.m.) \u2026 former Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov <\/strong>(6.30 p.m.).<\/p>\n Tonight With Andrew Marr<\/strong>\u00a0(LBC, 6 p.m.): Jacqui Smith<\/strong> \u2026 Keir Starmer\u2019s former adviser Peter Hyman<\/strong> \u2026 podcaster and former Shadow Cabinet Minister Jon Ashworth<\/strong> \u2026 former Tory Chief Whip Simon Hart<\/strong>.<\/p>\n GBN Tonight <\/strong>(GB News, 7 p.m.): Labour MP Graham Stringer <\/strong>\u2026 Reform UK Deputy Leader Richard Tice<\/strong> \u2026 Migration Watch UK Chair Alp Mehmet<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The Evening Edition with Kait Borsay <\/strong>(Times Radio, 7 p.m.): Former Benjamin Netanyahu adviser Daniel Rubenstein<\/strong> (7.15 p.m.) \u2026 UNICEF Afghanistan Communications Specialist Salam Al-Janabi <\/strong>(7.25 p.m.) \u2026 former NATO Representative to Russia John Lough<\/strong> (8 p.m.).<\/p>\n Cross Question with Iain Dale<\/strong>\u00a0(LBC, 8 p.m.): Environment Secretary Steve Reed<\/strong> \u2026 Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith<\/strong> \u2026 S4 Capital\u2019s Martin Sorrell<\/strong> \u2026 former Daily Mirror Editor Alison Phillips<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Jacob Rees-Mogg\u2019s State of the Nation <\/strong>(GB News, 8 p.m.):\u00a0Former Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster<\/strong> \u2026 Reform UK councilor Laila Cunningham<\/strong> \u2026 former Labour MP Stephen Pound<\/strong> \u2026 former Tory MP John Redwood<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Newsnight <\/strong>(BBC 2, 10.30 p.m.): Labour Red Wall Caucus Chair Jo White<\/strong> \u2026 former Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg<\/strong>.<\/p>\n TWEETING TOMORROW\u2019S PAPERS TONIGHT:<\/strong> George Mann<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n REVIEWING THE PAPERS TONIGHT: Times Radio <\/strong>(10.30 p.m.): Broadcaster Nina dos Santos <\/strong>and POLITICO\u2019s Anne McElvoy<\/strong> \u2026 Sky News<\/strong>\u00a0(10.30 p.m. and 11.30 p.m.):\u00a0Times Radio\u2019s Adam Boulton<\/strong> and the Telegraph\u2019s Annabel Denham<\/strong>.<\/p>\n WHERE TO FIND BOOZE IN WESTMINSTER TONIGHT<\/p>\n ELECTIONS NEEDED:<\/strong> Labour MPs should get their asses down to HQ in Southwark.<\/p>\n TOMORROW\u2019S WORLD<\/p>\n EDGING CLOSER TO RETIREMENT AGE: <\/strong>Keir Starmer turns 63 overnight. <\/p>\n GETTING THE NEW GANG TOGETHER: <\/strong>The PM will chair a meeting of his cabinet at 9.30 a.m. <\/p>\n WHAT THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO TALK ABOUT: <\/strong>Criminal sentences and zero emission vehicles. <\/p>\n WHAT THE TORIES WANT TO TALK ABOUT:<\/strong> Kemi Badenoch will deliver a speech in Aberdeen about fossil fuels. <\/p>\n GREEN SHOOTS: <\/strong>The new co-leadership of the Greens will be announced at 11 a.m. during their annual conference in London. <\/p>\n IN THE LORDS:<\/strong> Peers materialize from 11 a.m. for further committee debate on the Children\u2019s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. <\/p>\n IN THE COMMONS:<\/strong> MPs rock up for Foreign Office questions at 11.30 a.m. before the second reading of the devolution bill. <\/p>\n MIDDLE EAST CRISIS:<\/strong> Palestinian Ambassador to the U.K. Husam Zomlot will speak at Chatham House from 1 p.m.<\/p>\n ANY OTHER BUSINESS<\/p>\n NEW GIGS: <\/strong>Former Greater London Authority official Kate Webb<\/strong> joined No. 10 recently to work on infrastructure and housing policy (per Dan Bloom\u2019s big read<\/a> on the Starmer machine) \u2026 broadcaster Paris Gourtsoyannis <\/strong>is joining BBC Scotland<\/a> next month as a political correspondent, meaning his outgoing role at STV is up for grabs<\/a> \u2026 and CCHQ has hired Dylan Selby<\/strong> as a press officer.<\/p>\n And an upgrade: <\/strong>The Telegraph\u2019s Dominic Penna <\/strong>has been promoted<\/a> to senior political correspondent. <\/p>\n WHAT I\u2019VE BEEN READING:<\/strong> On his Substack<\/a>, mathematician \n \n<\/tr>\n \n ![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Google-Be-Internet-Legends-GIF.gif\")
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