PM turns to old Labour hands after election losses but some MPs left baffled

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has appointed former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown as a special envoy on global finance and former Labour deputy leader Harriet Harman as an adviser on violence against women and girls. These appointments come in the wake of significant election losses for the Labour Party, which have intensified pressure on Starmer’s leadership. Both Brown and Harman, long-standing and influential figures within Labour, met with Starmer at 10 Downing Street prior to the announcement. The prime minister is seeking to stabilize his position and signal a refreshed direction for his government amid calls from some MPs for him to set a departure timetable. Downing Street emphasized Brown’s role in advising on global financial cooperation to enhance the country’s security and resilience, drawing on his experience as chancellor and prime minister during the 2008 financial crisis. Harman’s advisory role focuses on galvanizing government efforts to tackle misogyny and improve opportunities for women in public life, building on her previous leadership roles within the party. Starmer plans to use these appointments as part of a broader reset, which includes a major speech and new legislative agenda aimed at restoring confidence in his leadership and the Labour Party’s future. Despite the respect commanded by Brown and Harman, their return has sparked confusion and skepticism among some Labour ministers and MPs, who question how the involvement of veteran figures aligns with Starmer’s promises of change. The appointments have been described by some insiders as out of step with the party’s need for renewal, highlighting internal tensions as Starmer navigates the fallout from the election setbacks. The prime minister has acknowledged mistakes in the government’s first two years and pledged to outline a clearer vision and values in the coming days to unify the party and the country.