Starmer Recruits Brown and Harman to Defuse Resignation Pressure 2026

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has brought in former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and veteran Labour figure Harriet Harman as unpaid advisers in a strategic move to ease mounting pressure on his leadership following disastrous local election results. The appointments come after Labour lost more than 1,400 councillors across England, lost power in Wales for the first time, and saw support drain to Reform UK and the Green Party in traditional heartlands.

Brown, who served as prime minister from 2007 to 2010 and as chancellor under Tony Blair, has been appointed as Starmer’s envoy on global finance. His brief includes advising on financial partnerships to support defence-related investments, particularly with European allies. Harman, a former Labour deputy leader and long-serving MP, will serve as the prime minister’s adviser on women and girls, focusing on tackling violence against women and improving economic opportunities for women across the UK.

Symbolism and Strategy Behind the Appointments

The appointments are deliberately symbolic. By gathering Labour heavyweights around him, Starmer is signaling that he remains in control and is seeking counsel from respected party elders. The optics of Brown being photographed with Starmer at Downing Street on a Saturday morning are intended to project stability and experience amid the chaos.

Both roles are part-time and unpaid, which reduces any potential criticism of adding to the public payroll. However, the move is widely seen as a direct response to the growing number of Labour MPs calling for Starmer to set a date for his departure. Clive Betts, the long-serving MP for Sheffield South East, and Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth, have publicly urged the prime minister to consider stepping down.

The Scale of the Electoral Defeat

With most votes now counted from Thursday’s series of elections, the scale of Labour’s losses is stark. The party shed over 1,400 councillors across England, losing ground to Reform UK and the Green Party. In Wales, Labour lost power for the first time, plummeting to just nine Senedd seats, trailing behind Plaid Cymru and Reform UK. The party also lost ground in the Scottish parliament.

Abrahams told the BBC on Saturday morning that she hoped Starmer would “always put the country first” given the electoral threat from Reform. “We have to recognise the dangers that we’re in now, that on this trajectory it doesn’t look good,” she said. When asked how quickly he should consider departing, Abrahams replied: “I think it is a matter of months.”

Internal Party Reactions and Calls for Transition

In a post on X, Tony Vaughan, the Labour MP for Folkestone who was first elected in 2024, argued that there “must be an orderly transition of leadership well before the local elections next year.” He compared the situation to Conservative leadership crises, asking: “Would they have done better if they’d kept Boris in despite partygate? Or kept Truss after she crashed the economy?”

However, Starmer has also received strong backing from key party figures. Lucy Powell, the party’s deputy leader, told the BBC it was time to end “this incessant speculation” about Starmer’s position. She argued that setting a timetable for a leadership change would only “set the starting gun of a, quite honestly, very distracting and ongoing debate about leadership.”

Andy Burnham and the Leadership Question

Powell also confirmed that she would support Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, being allowed to stand for parliament—but stressed this should not involve Burnham challenging Starmer. “We don’t do hospital takeovers in the Labour party. It’s not what we’re about,” she said, dismissing any immediate leadership contest.

Despite the internal divisions, no members of Starmer’s cabinet have yet moved against him. The coming weeks will be critical as the prime minister attempts to stabilise his position and rebuild confidence among Labour MPs, activists, and voters ahead of the next general election.

FAQ

Why did Starmer appoint Gordon Brown and Harriet Harman?

Starmer appointed Brown and Harman to bring experienced Labour heavyweights into his inner circle, signaling stability and experience amid calls for his resignation after disastrous local election results. Brown will advise on global finance and defence investments, while Harman will focus on women’s issues.

How badly did Labour lose in the local elections?

Labour lost more than 1,400 councillors across England, lost power in Wales for the first time, and lost ground in Scotland. The party’s support shifted to Reform UK and the Green Party in traditional Labour heartlands.

Is Keir Starmer expected to resign soon?

Several Labour MPs have called on Starmer to set a date for a leadership transition, with some suggesting it should happen within months. However, Starmer has been defended by deputy leader Lucy Powell and others, and no cabinet members have yet moved against him. His future remains uncertain.