Jonathan Powell is the Prime Minister’s new National Security Adviser. It is a return to the heart of government for one of New Labour’s biggest and least known stars at a time of growing international insecurity, supercharged by the re-election of president Donald Trump.

Tousle-haired Powell, 68, was Tony Blair’s loyal and highly effective chief of staff throughout his decade in 10 Downing Street. Unlike some of Blair’s more self-publicising aides, Powell regarded it as his job to keep a low profile while managing the operation and moving at high levels domestically and in international diplomacy. He is credited with much of the behind the scenes work which brought about the 1998 Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland. This included being taken, at his own risk, to clandestine meetings with Irish republicans and others with paramilitary links. Powell commented today that, “It feels like I should try to help given the situation in the world”.

His comeback answers a lot of questions about Sir Keir Starmer’s developing foreign policy. As Blair’s point man Powell oversaw a close but pragmatic relationship with America, including a transition from Democrats to Republicans. For many the US and the UK got too close when they went to war together in Iraq. Even so the UK was an equal partner, listened to by the Bush administration and given time to seek a second UN........

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