The Reform UK leader has branded Labour ‘doomed’ (Image: Getty)
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has branded the Labour Party “doomed” after the Prime Minister announced roles for two party veterans. Sir Keir Starmer has given jobs to former prime minister Gordon Brown and former deputy Labour leader Baroness Harriet Harman as he seeks to shore up his position following Labour’s electoral drubbing.
Mr Brown will be the Prime Minister’s special envoy on global finance, helping forge international co-operation, including with the European Union, while Lady Harman will act 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 disastrous election results in Wales, Scotland and English councils. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, whose party made significant gains at the elections, mocked the Prime Minister over Mr Brown’s appointment.
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The two Labour Party veterans will return in non-paid jobs (Image: International Pool/PA Wire)
An unpopular Prime Minister who lost a general election is now seen by Starmer as being the saviour. Labour are doomed. https://t.co/ar5PE4AntP
— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) May 9, 2026
He said: “An unpopular prime minister who lost a General Election is now seen by Starmer as being the saviour. Labour are doomed.” (SIC)
Mr Brown will be expected to draw on his experience as Chancellor and Prime Minister to advise on how global financial co-operation can strengthen the UK.
“He will be tasked with developing new international finance partnerships that can support defence and security-related investment, including measures that underpin the UK’s relationship with Europe,” Downing Street said.
His 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 Mr Brown and Lady Harman met Sir Keir in No 10 ahead of their appointments being announced.
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 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.”