The move comes as the embattled Prime Minister attempts to shore up his position in the wake of Labour’s local election mauling.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Image: Getty)
Sir Keir Starmer has brought back Gordon Brown as part of a post-local elections shake-up. The Prime Minister has appointed the former premier as a special envoy on global finance as he clings to power after Labour’s drubbing in Thursday’s ballots.
Mr Brown will help forge international co-operation on issues including the economy and defence. Sir Keir also appointed former deputy Labour leader Baroness 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 Sir Keir suffered a disastrous set of election results in Wales, Scotland and English councils.
Asked about his decision to bring back “blasts from the past”, Sir Keir 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 Nigel Farage said Labour was “doomed” after Sir Keir brought back the ex-PM.
The Reform UK leader wrote on X: “An unpopular Prime Minister who lost a general election is now seen by Starmer as being the saviour. Labour are doomed.”
It comes as Sir Keir is facing mounting calls to quit after Labour’s local elections bloodbath.
The party lost more than 1,000 councillors across England, and was ousted from power in Wales for the first time in history.
Dozens of Labour backbenchers have publicly suggested Sir Keir should either quit or set a timetable for his departure.
The Prime Minister will seek to use a major speech on Monday and then the King’s Speech on Wednesday to attempt to reset his premiership.