Deliverance Day: Meet Starmer’s Mr Fixer-in-Chief

William Cash | 11th March 2026 | Editor's Pick, Westminster Index
Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images
Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images

Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the PM, has released the first tranche of the Mandelson Files to the Commons. In an exclusive, he tells The Mace that his political hero is Ernest Bevin and that he gets fired up by the D: Ream song: "Things Can Only Get Better"

Darren Jones was on his feet at the Commons despatch box shortly after PMQs, waiting long enough for his boss, Sir Keir Starmer, to be safely out of sight. As he delivered his speech , which the highlight was revealing that the government had refused to pay Mandelson the half a million pounds he wanted as a payoff for being sacked as US ambassador, Jones's role became clear: he was Starmer's Mr Enforcer. In the end Mandelson got £75,000. This was spoken as of a victory. Jones played the same role back in February when he spoke to the House on Starmer's behalf just minutes before pictures emerged of Lord Mandelson being arrested in his London home for alleged offences relating to 'misconduct in public office'. As Starmer's right-hand man in Cabinet - and fixer-in-chief - the 39 year old Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister was given the unenviable job of announcing that the first release of the Mandelson papers relating to his appointment as US ambassador would be in March. The speed...

Subscribe to The Mace

Join the member community shaping British politics and stay ahead of what's really happening in the world of politics and public affairs, with expert analysis, breaking news, and insider insights from Westminster and Brussels. The Mace is the leading news source and resource for the government affairs industry, offering required reading and lobby intelligence for professionals.

To see what you are missing out on by not subscribing to The Mace, click here to download our full membership info-pack. This includes having no paywall on op-ed content or profiles/interviews, allowing professional profiles to be read with maximum impact and visibility by government, special advisers, MPs, peers, civil servants, and policy and political decision-makers.



Leader in UK Public Affairs: Andy Brown, Marketing, Communications and Business Development Director, Arup, “Be open”

Mace | September 17, 2026

Andy talks about how career progression isn't just about salary but spending time doing work that you find meaningful

Leader in UK Public Affairs: Claire Lovegrove, Director of Corporate Affairs, Mitie, “AI is an enabler, not a replacement”

Mace | September 17, 2026

Claire captures the appeal of public affairs: influence without exposure, impact without political office.

Leader in UK Public Affairs: Dr Michelle Howard, Senior Advisor for Defence and Space, Lexington Communications: “The future of public affairs is full of promise for the creative”

Mace | September 16, 2026

Lexington’s Michelle Howard explains how an unconventional career spanning opera, journalism, hydropower and defence led her into public affairs, why political instability rewards creativity and listening, and what

Leader in Public Affairs: Ros Morgan, Chief Executive, Heart of London Business Alliance, “Build a strong, proud and open culture where everyone has a voice”

Mace | September 8, 2026

After two decades spent in advocacy on behalf of business, Ros reveals what parts of the industry she believes needs reform.

Leader in UK Public Affairs: Tim Hewish, Public Affairs Lead, National Grid, “Go and make a difference”

Mace | September 8, 2026

Tim reflects on the reality of operating in an environment where political pressure, public scrutiny and long-term infrastructure decisions all collide.

Leader In UK Public Affairs: Dan Mann, Corporate Affairs Manager, Cemex, “Side before self every time”

Mace | September 8, 2026

Dan discusses his time in the industry that "literally built Britain", his leadership philosophies, and how AI will never replace empathy.

Leader in UK Public Affairs: Charlie Hall, Public Affairs Manager, CityFibre “I want to advocate for businesses that make a meaningful contribution to society”

Mace | August 28, 2026

CityFibre’s Charlie Hall explains why joined-up policymaking is vital to infrastructure investment, how in-house advocacy connects politics with commercial reality and why the best decisions draw on every

Farmers have suffered enough this summer — it’s time the government got on side

John Cooper | August 27, 2026

Britain’s farmers have battled repeated heatwaves and droughts, but MP John Cooper says the government’s Family Farm Tax is piling further pressure on an industry that desperately needs

Leader in Public Affairs: Sophie Timms, Corporate Affairs Director, Kier Group, “Nothing is more important than keeping people safe”

Mace | August 27, 2026

Sophie has been passionate about politics since her teenage years. Now, she works at the intersection of policy, delivery and public accountability.

Leader In Public Affairs: Lewis North, Head of Public Affairs, Porterbrook, “Take care of your people and they will take care of you”

Mace | August 26, 2026

From gaining his politics degree to standing in the 2019 General Election - Lewis reveals how these experiences informed his career in public affairs.