Starmer Enlists Brown and Harman to Address Leadership Challenges
Keir Starmer has appointed Gordon Brown and Harriet Harman as advisers in an effort to alleviate the increasing pressure on him to resign following significant Labour losses in recent elections.
Gordon Brown, former prime minister and chancellor under Tony Blair, has been appointed as Starmer’s envoy on global finance. His role includes advising on financial partnerships aimed at supporting defence-related investments, particularly with European partners.
Harriet Harman, who served as Labour’s deputy leader under Brown, will advise Starmer on issues concerning women and girls. Her focus will be on combating violence and enhancing economic opportunities for this demographic.
Although these positions are part-time and unpaid, their symbolic significance is notable. Starmer’s decision to surround himself with prominent Labour figures comes as he strives to maintain his leadership, highlighted by Brown’s appearance with him at Downing Street on Saturday morning.
Labour’s Electoral Setbacks and Internal Calls for Leadership Change
With the majority of votes counted from Thursday’s elections across England, Scotland, and Wales, Labour has suffered substantial losses. The party lost over 1,400 council seats across England, including in traditional strongholds.
In Wales, Labour lost power for the first time, securing only nine Senedd seats and falling behind both the Welsh Conservatives and Reform UK.
While no cabinet members have publicly called for Starmer’s resignation, several Labour MPs have urged him to announce a leadership transition date. Among them are Clive Betts, MP for Sheffield South East, and Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth.
“We have to recognise the dangers that we’re in now, that on this trajectory it doesn’t look good.”
Abrahams stated on BBC on Saturday morning, expressing hope that Starmer would “always put the country first” in light of the electoral threat posed by Reform UK.
When asked about the timing of Starmer’s departure, she said:
“I think it is a matter of months.”
In a separate statement, Tony Vaughan, Labour MP for Folkestone elected in 2024, emphasized the need for an orderly leadership transition well before the next local elections.
“Some say we will look like the Tories if we change leader. But would they have done better if they’d kept Boris in despite partygate? Or kept Truss after she crashed the economy?”
Defence of Starmer and Party Dynamics
Starmer has received support from other Labour figures, including Harriet Harman and Lucy Powell, the party’s deputy leader. Powell told the BBC that the ongoing speculation about Starmer’s leadership should end.
“What I would say to people is, thinking that setting out some kind of timetable would put to bed issues of leadership, is actually the wrong conclusion here, because all that would do is [set] the starting gun of a, quite honestly, very distracting and ongoing debate about leadership,” Powell said.
Powell also confirmed her support for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to stand for parliament but opposed the idea of Burnham challenging Starmer for leadership.
“We don’t do hospital takeovers in the Labour party. It’s not what we’re about.”
Upcoming Speech and Strategic Focus
Starmer is expected to attempt a relaunch of his premiership on Monday with a speech that will likely advocate for closer ties with the European Union.
Brown’s appointment aligns with this strategy. A Downing Street statement outlined that Brown’s responsibilities include developing new international financial partnerships to support defence and security investments, reinforcing the UK’s relationship with Europe.
Regarding Harman’s role, a No 10 statement indicated she will advise the prime minister on mobilizing government efforts to benefit women and girls.
The statement added:
“She will work with ministers across government to drive an impactful agenda focusing on tackling violence against women and girls, unlocking economic opportunity and improving representation.”
