UK: Jonathan Powell Appointed National Security Adviser
UK: Jonathan Powell Appointed National Security Adviser
The Facts
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has appointed Jonathan Powell, Downing Street chief of staff between 1997 and 2007 under Tony Blair, as his new national security advisor.
Starmer said in a Cabinet Office statement that Powell had "devoted his career to protecting the interests of the country," and Powell himself said he was "honored" to take on the role.
The Spin
Powell, a Blair era veteran, is an incredibly experienced political operative that will only benefit Starmer's premiership. Powell,He a Blair era veteran, will not only provide stability on the international front but also bring wisdom to a Labour government that has faced criticism for its clumsy domestic policy strategy.
Starmer has appointed a man who willingly negotiated the surrender of the Chagos Islands—a piece of land integral to British strategic interests — as the country's national security advisor. The decision once again leaves the UK public lacking any confidence in Labour's foreign policy and is likely to only further damage the UK's international position in the future.
