Farage mocks Brown return as ‘Labour doomed’ after Starmer reshuffle

Nigel Farage has seized on Gordon Brown’s return to a formal role in government, ridiculing the move as evidence that Sir Keir Starmer’s administration is running out of ideas following Labour’s bruising election results.

In a post on X, the Reform UK leader wrote: “An unpopular Prime Minister who lost a general election is now seen by Starmer as being the saviour. Labour are doomed.”

The comments came after Downing Street confirmed Mr Brown had been appointed as a special envoy on global finance, tasked with advising on international investment and economic resilience.

The former prime minister, who led Labour from 2007 until its 2010 general election defeat to David Cameron, remains a divisive figure in British politics but retains influence within parts of the party’s establishment wing.

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

Mr Brown previously served as Chancellor under Tony Blair for a decade, overseeing Britain’s response to the global financial crisis and the bank bailouts coordinated with the Bank of England.

Reform UK’s leader has repeatedly sought to frame Labour’s recent difficulties as evidence of systemic decline within the party, particularly after significant gains by his party in recent local elections.

Farage’s intervention is likely to further fuel Conservative and Reform attacks on what they portray as a Labour government increasingly reliant on figures from its past rather than offering a clear vision for the future.

Downing Street has defended the appointment, insisting Mr Brown’s experience in global finance and crisis management makes him well placed to advise on international economic strategy at a time of global uncertainty.

But opposition figures argue the move risks reinforcing a narrative of political drift, with critics from across Westminster questioning whether the Government is projecting confidence or merely searching for stability after a difficult electoral period.