Bringing back Brown, Harman is "future-looking" move - UK PM Starmer

(Alliance News) - Keir Starmer said bringing former UK prime minister Gordon Brown back into government is a "future-looking" move.

Brown will be the prime minister's special envoy on global finance, helping forge international co-operation on issues including the economy and defence.

The prime minister also appointed former deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman as his adviser on women and girls.

The decision to offer unpaid, part-time roles to two of the biggest names from the last Labour government comes after Starmer suffered a disastrous set of election results in Wales, Scotland and English councils.

Asked about his decision to bring back "blasts from the past", Starmer told broadcasters: "I want women to have the opportunities that they deserve. I want to be able to tackle misogyny, I've made commitments on this and Harriet working with the team is the absolutely right person to do that.

"So it's very future-looking, because this is about making sure that every woman has the opportunities that she deserves. And so Harriet will lead on that work, working with the Cabinet, working with the team.

"For Gordon obviously, one of the big challenges we face is global finance. The war in Iran is causing real problems, economic impact.

"We need more spending on defence and security, that needs to come together around international mechanisms and Gordon's got a track record on that, and so that is building the strong economy of the future.

"So on both fronts, they have very future-looking roles. They are vital to how we strengthen our country and take it forward and provide the opportunities that give people that hope for a better future."

But Labour MP Paula Barker said: "We don't have to bring back big beasts of our party to try and save the prime minister's skin."

She told BBC Radio 4's PM programme: "I have enormous respect for both Gordon and Harriet, but I would have had even more respect for them if they had declined the offer of, quite frankly, non-jobs and told the prime minister that it's time for a change and he should set out his timetable."

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, whose party made significant gains at the elections, mocked the prime minister over Brown's appointment.

He said: "An unpopular prime minister who lost a general election is now seen by Starmer as being the saviour. Labour are doomed."

Brown's appointment comes as the UK prepares to hold the presidency of the G20 group of leading industrialised nations next year.

Lady Harman will work with ministers on work to tackle violence against women and girls, improving job prospects and increasing representation in parliament and public life.

She will work with the head of the Civil Service to "drive a shift in culture" across the Civil Service and ministerial offices, No 10 said.

Both Brown and Lady Harman met Starmer in No 10 ahead of their appointments being announced.

source: PA

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