Keir Starmer and Gordon Brown
UK Reform Party leader Nigel Farage has criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer after appointing former Prime Minister Gordon Brown as special envoy for global finance.Farage responded on social media: “An unpopular Prime Minister who lost the general election is now seen as a savior by Starmer. Labor is doomed. “
Brown returns to consulting role
Brown has been appointed special envoy for global finance, where he will advise on international financial cooperation and support efforts related to economic security and defense investment.
Downing Street said the move was aimed at strengthening Britain’s global financial partnerships and Brown was expected to work with international leaders and institutions in a part-time, unpaid capacity.Announcing Brown’s appointment, Starmer said, “As the UK’s longest-serving chancellor, Gordon is well placed to work with our international allies to build a stronger Britain and enhance our nation’s security and resilience.”In response to political pressure, Starmer also appointed former deputy leader Harriet Harman as an adviser on women and girls, while Brown also returned as part of a wider effort to restructure the government after the election setback.
Labor hit hard by local election losses
The appointments come after Labor suffered a crushing defeat at the 2026 local elections, losing more than 1,300 parliamentary seats in England.The party lost control in key areas such as Manchester, Salford, Wigan and Oldham, and suffered setbacks in Wales and Scotland. The result sparked internal criticism and renewed scrutiny of Starmer’s leadership, despite senior ministers publicly backing him.
Momentum strong after UK reform progress
Meanwhile, Reform Britain has been celebrating strong results in local elections. “This is a very, very important day, not just for our party but for the complete reshaping of every aspect of British politics,” Farage said.The party took control of councils including Essex and Sunderland and made inroads into several traditional Labor and Conservative strongholds. Reform described the outcome as a “historic shift” in British politics.
