Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Treasury in Starmer's government, shares his remarkable journey from a challenging childhood in Bristol to a pivotal role in politics. He recounts a surprising celebrity encounter with Cher on election eve, highlighting the whirlwind of campaign life. Jones reflects on the emotional landscape of significant political events and the complex nature of ambition and luck in politics. He also discusses the importance of understanding 'working people' and the accountability issues facing modern governance.
Darren Jones emphasizes the importance of engaging constructively with the new administration despite the political climate's challenges, reflecting his pragmatic approach to governance.
He attributes his political resilience and commitment to public service to personal experiences, particularly his working-class upbringing and initial electoral defeats, shaping his values in office.
Deep dives
Darren Jones's Reaction to Trump's Election
Darren Jones expresses surprise at the conclusive nature of Donald Trump's election victory, noting the shift in voter sentiment across several key states. He reflects on the typical expectation for election results to take longer to emerge, contrasting that with Trump's decisive win. Despite the tumultuous political climate, Jones emphasizes the need to engage constructively with the new administration, highlighting the necessity of working with Trump as the elected leader. His pragmatic approach is rooted in a consistent experience within the political arena, indicative of his understanding of the electoral process and its impact.
Path to Politics and Professional Background
Jones shares his journey into politics, revealing his initial desire to step back from the political scene after personal electoral defeats. His experience campaigning for Hillary Clinton in the United States serves as a formative moment, clarifying his commitment to political service despite setbacks. Remarkably, he attributes his victory in 2017 to the momentum generated by Jeremy Corbyn's leadership, highlighting the unpredictable nature of political aspirations. This candid reflection illustrates his resilience and the complexities surrounding political engagement, which he defines more as a blend of ambition and opportunism.
Role and Challenges of the Chief Secretary
As the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Jones describes his role as critical in managing public spending decisions alongside the Chancellor. He characterizes his job as balancing competing demands for funding while ensuring effective allocation in support of governmental priorities. The discussions surrounding budgetary reforms emphasize the need for a fresh approach to public service spending, acknowledging that sometimes the decisions can be unpopular but necessary for fiscal responsibility. Jones stresses that the priority is not merely to deny funding requests but to understand and evaluate how best to create positive outcomes from available resources.
Personal Values and Political Motivation
Jones speaks to the influences of his working-class upbringing, which shaped his values aimed at enhancing opportunities for those disadvantaged. His decision to embrace veganism reflects a broader recognition of how personal choices can impact societal factors like climate and public health. He stresses the importance of remaining grounded and connected to the communities he serves, ensuring the values he advocates for are reflected in his political actions. By drawing on his personal history, Jones seeks to remain relatable and accountable as a politician, actively engaging with constituents to inform his decisions.
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury sits down with Nick to chart his rise to the heart of Starmer's government.
How did a Bristol boy, whose parents sometimes went without meals to ensure he had food, end up at the Chancellor's side, in charge of the purse-strings of the government?
Producer: Daniel Kraemer
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode