Darren Jones sacked from cabinet

Darren Jones he has been told by new Prime Minister Andy Burnham that he "won't be a part of his new cabinet", he says.

The MP for Bristol North West had been serving as the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister and the Chancellor or the Duchy of Lancaster, having previously been a minister at the Treasury.

Jones had briefly considered mounting a leadership challenge before deciding against it and leaving the path clear for Burnham to enter 10 Downing Street.

"From the campaign trail and the TV studios to the Treasury, No10 and the Cabinet Office, it's been a privilege to be in the cabinet of a Labour government and to serve the country," Jones said in a statement on social media.

He added: "I was proud to lead two spending reviews that increased investment in our schools and hospitals, tackled child poverty and built council houses again, alongside the 10-year Infrastructure Strategy.

"I was proud to play my part in coordinating national security and defence policy, helping to rebuild our reputation on the world stage."

"I was brought into Downing Street and the Cabinet Office to improve government delivery and I'm pleased that today many of the big metrics are moving in the right direction."

He went on to list improving NHS waiting lists, reducing immigration numbers and wage increases amongst the achievements he was proud of but conceded that he "would love to see us doing more" on economic growth.

Jones said he wished the new government "every success" and that he would continue representing his constituency as a backbench MP.

Jones was seen as one of the rising stars of the Labour Party, having first won his seat in 2017.

He was appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury by Sir Keir Starmer following Labour's 2024 election win and was then promoted to Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster after a cabinet reshuffle in September 2025.

It has been a busy day for Andy Burnham as he appoints his new cabinet, with now former Chancellor Rachel Reeves, ex-Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and several other cabinet ministers all making way for Burnham's new top team.

He was one of the rising stars of Keir Starmer's Labour Party.

First elected MP for Bristol North West in 2017, he soon caught the eye of the leadership.

Keir Starmer then brought Darren Jones onto the front benches, and made him a minister after the 2024 election victory.

They worked well together - leading to his promotion to be the PM's Chief Secretary.

And that was his undoing.

Darren Jones is among a dozen departing ministers seen as having been close to Keir Starmer.

His parting statement makes mention of his Bristol North West seat. He will have more time for constituency matters.

But, at just 39 years old, his star could yet rise again.

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