Starmer Appoints Gordon Brown, Harriet Harman to Advisory Roles After Election Losses
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has sought to bolster his government by appointing two prominent Labour figures to advisory roles. Gordon Brown, the former Prime Minister, will serve as a special envoy on global finance, while Harriet Harman, previously the deputy leader, will advise on addressing violence against women and girls.
These appointments come as Starmer faces considerable pressure following substantial election setbacks for the Labour party. Several Labour Members of Parliament have publicly called for him to establish a timeline for his resignation.
Starmer has maintained he will not "walk away and plunge the country into chaos," receiving support from cabinet members. He admitted to errors, stating that "the hope wasn't there enough in the first two years of this government," and indicated he would outline his future direction and core values in the coming days.
The Prime Minister plans a relaunch of his premiership next week, including a major speech and the unveiling of new legislation, with these appointments signalling an intent to refresh his administration.
Brown, who served as Chancellor before his premiership from 2007 to 2010, played a pivotal role in the international response to the 2008 financial crisis. Downing Street stated that Brown would advise on how global finance cooperation can enhance the UK's "security and resilience." Harman, a former Leader of the House of Commons and Labour deputy leader from 2007 to 2015, will advise on mobilising government efforts for women and girls, specifically identifying actions against misogyny and for greater opportunities in public life.
Despite the official reasoning, the appointments have prompted bewilderment among some Labour ministers and MPs. One minister, typically loyal, reportedly dismissed the move as "a joke," questioning the relevance of bringing back figures from a "different era of Labour politics." Another MP suggested the move indicated Starmer's misunderstanding of the party's current challenges.
The discontent extends to calls for Starmer's resignation, with up to 30 Labour MPs publicly advocating for his departure or an orderly leadership transition. Paula Barker, Labour MP for Liverpool Wavertree, expressed that both Brown and Harman should have declined their "non-jobs" and advised the Prime Minister to step down. Clive Betts, MP for Sheffield South East, argued that the public has "stopped listening to Keir" and that a "rebooting and refreshing" would be ineffective. Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, predicted Starmer's departure within months.
Conversely, Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell has insisted that Starmer should remain, cautioning that a leadership debate now would make the government appear "ludicrous" and could pave the way for Nigel Farage to enter Downing Street.
