Wife of Stalybridge MP snapped up by Starmer for key Downing Street role

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has appointed Claire Reynolds, wife of Stalybridge and Hyde MP Jonathan Reynolds, as his new political director in Downing Street.

Claire has previously worked as an aide to both Tony Blair and Gordon Brown when they were serving prime ministers, and is currently the director of Labour Women’s Network.

Her new position will see her tackle liaison between Number 10, the Labour party and MPs, with the role being part of a wider Downing Street shake-up by Keir Starmer after Sue Grey was left her chief of staff position earlier this month.

Sue Gray has now been replaced by Morgan McSweeney, who is a long-term ally of Keir Starmer, and is being supported by two deputy chief of staffs. One of these is Vidhya Alakeson who was previously serving in the role that Claire now takes on.

The senior role will see Claire tasked with maintaining positive relations across the parliamentary party, aiding with cohesion in what could be a fraught time ahead as a result of this week’s Autumn Budget announcement.

In her role at the helm of Labour Women’s Network, which is aimed at supporting women into senior positions in government, and promoting equality, Claire has trained hundreds of women at various levels of government, and as Labour candidates.

She was credited with assisting 100 new female MPs that were elected in this year’s summer General Election. 

Her husband, Jonathan, is also the business secretary.

A Labour source said: “We couldn’t have someone better qualified than Claire to be leading relationships between No 10, the Labour party and our politicians. 

“Claire been a candidate, councillor, adviser and organiser, building a fantastic network across the party, and she has supported hundreds, particularly women, to achieve their full potential in the party.”