A take a look at Jonathan Powell’s CV exhibits that, on paper, he’s greater than certified for the job of nationwide safety adviser.
An skilled authorities operator intimately concerned in crafting the Good Friday Settlement and on the coronary heart of many advanced discussions over overseas coverage through the New Labour years.
Certainly in 2014, David Cameron even introduced him into authorities as a particular envoy to Libya because the nation was engulfed by violence.
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Who higher – many will say – to advise the prime minister on home and overseas threats and work with the Whitehall safety equipment?
Nonetheless, this appointment will provoke criticism.
Whereas Mr Powell has spent sections of his profession as an neutral civil servant, his time working with Sir Tony Blair as Downing Road chief of employees was an appointment made in a political capability.
In that context, he might be seen as essentially the most politically aligned determine to have taken this significant job – when in comparison with earlier holders, who all got here from an solely civil service background.
That is in all probability why the federal government has appointed Mr Powell within the capability of a political particular adviser relatively than a civil servant – as all his predecessors have been.
This has implications for a way he does his job.
The Institute for Authorities (IfG) thinktank says it means he’ll solely attend the Nationwide Safety Council, relatively than being a member of it.
His place additionally impacts which different roles he can oversee, with the IfG saying the intelligence company heads and deputy nationwide safety adviser might want to report back to the cupboard secretary, whereas Mr Powell will work straight for the prime minister.
A celebration political row
There’ll probably be a party-political row as nicely with Tories already accusing Sir Keir Starmer of handing a plum job to a political ally.
It would not assist the prime minister’s case that comparable rows have damaged out in current months over different authorities jobs.
One former Conservative aide pointed to the backlash from Labour politicians to Boris Johnson’s plans to nominate then Brexit negotiator Lord David Frost to the identical job in 2020.
That may have additionally been a political position – however there are two essential variations.
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Mr Powell’s hyperlinks to Sir Tony Blair – and the Iraq struggle – could anger some. He gave proof to the Chilcot inquiry. Pic: PA
Firstly, in contrast to Mr Powell, Lord Frost had little related expertise in nationwide safety.
Secondly, criticism did not simply come from Labour – with former prime minister Baroness Theresa May additionally publicly voicing opposition to the transfer.
Mr Powell’s newer profession historical past can also provoke scorn from the opposition benches although.
Shortly after coming into workplace, Sir Keir appointed him as particular envoy for the negotiations over the Chagos Islands.
That ultimately led to sovereignty over the strategically vital cluster of islands being handed to Mauritius.
New shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick posted on-line shortly after the announcement – “meet the new national security adviser, who trades away our national security to please the diplomatic elite”.
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Robert Jenrick has already criticised the appointment. Pic: PA
Some backlash can also come from inside Labour too.
How will the left of the occasion really feel that somebody so carefully concerned within the determination to affix the Iraq struggle is now advising the prime minister on issues of safety?
Veteran left-wing Labour MP Diane Abbott has already branded Mr Powell’s appointment a “return of the Blairites”.
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Ministers will insist his profession historical past proves he’s the most effective individual for the job, and that there aren’t any restrictions on particular advisers serving on this publish.
After the very public fracas round former Downing Road chief of employees Sue Grey, the federal government will hope this back-office appointment will pass-off with much less controversy.
