Overview
James Mark Dakin Purnell is a British politician who has served as Downing Street Chief of Staff since July 2026. A former member of the Labour Party, he previously served as the Member of Parliament for Stalybridge and Hyde from 2001 to 2010, during which time he served as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport from 2007 to 2008 and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions from 2008 to 2009. He resigned from the Government on 4 June 2009, criticising the leadership of prime minister Gordon Brown.