Harriet Harman
Former Labour MP and Deputy Leader 2007–2015; appointed unpaid Starmer adviser in May 2026.
Last refreshed: 14 May 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
What does Harriet Harman's return as an unpaid adviser tell us about who Starmer is turning to?
Timeline for Harriet Harman
King's Speech: 27 bills, no RPA Bill
UK Local Elections 2026What is Harriet Harman's new role under Keir Starmer?
What is the Equality Act 2010 and who introduced it?
How many times was Harriet Harman acting Labour leader?
Background
Harriet Harman served as MP for Camberwell and Peckham from 1982 to 2024, one of the longest-serving women in the House of Commons. She held senior roles under Blair and Brown including Solicitor General and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, and served as Labour Deputy Leader from 2007 to 2015, twice acting as Leader between permanent elections. Her most lasting contribution is the Equality Act 2010, which consolidated nine equality statutes into a single framework still in force today. She was also a consistent champion of women's parliamentary representation via all-women shortlists.
On 9 May 2026, Keir Starmer appointed Harman to an unpaid advisory role . Announced on the same day as the Gordon Brown envoy appointment, it was read as part of a pattern of Starmer reaching back to pre-Corbyn Labour figures for credibility during a period of acute internal party pressure.