Instead, Starmer took his counsel mainly from his advisers â Jenny Chapman, his powerful political secretary, his longtime political adviser Chris Ward, his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, the partyâs director of communications, Ben Nunn and Starmerâs policy director, Claire Ainsley. The other influential political player was Charlie Falconer, the shadow attorney general and veteran of the Tony Blair years. One big name not in the room, but who has been on the lips of many on the left of the party, is the former New Labour spinner Peter Mandelson â the subject of wild speculation over how much influence he has on Starmerâs operation.