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Emily Thornberry is known for her candid opinions, even if they sometimes result in controversy.
As the sole member of Keir Starmer’s ministerial team to be excluded when Labour came to power, the MP for Islington South and Finsbury is embarking on a new phase in her political journey as the head of the foreign affairs select committee.
In her new role, Thornberry, 64, offers a cautionary message to some of her younger colleagues, many of whom have quickly ascended to ministerial positions after their initial elections.
“We have some incredibly skilled and talented new ministers who are novices in the role,” she expressed during an interview, conducted from her office that overlooks the River Thames—a high-end workspace typically reserved for seasoned parliamentarians.
“I hope I’m mistaken, but I don’t want them to be set up for failure. It would undoubtedly be less challenging for them to have some experience as MPs before stepping into ministerial roles,” she continues.
Reflecting on her own experience, Thornberry states, “Transitioning to parliament was particularly challenging for me. I would have preferred to dedicate my initial years solely to being an MP.”
Thornberry’s unexpected removal from the government frontbench—where her position as attorney general was filled by Richard Hermer, a long-time associate of Starmer—marks a history of frontbench changes for her. In 2014, she resigned as shadow attorney general due to backlash from a controversial tweet that many viewed as condescending.
This latest setback felt particularly jarring to Thornberry, considering Labour was on the cusp of forming a government and she perceived herself as performing her duties effectively. Starmer had previously reassured members that stability in their roles was a priority.
“I was genuinely taken aback,” she reminisces about her reassignment months later. “Keir assured the shadow cabinet that they wouldn’t be shuffled around, so it was a shock to receive that news, and it has been difficult to navigate since.”
Now on the backbenches, leading a select committee seemed a natural next step for her career.
As the daughter of a diplomat and a former shadow foreign secretary, Thornberry decided to pursue leadership of the influential foreign affairs select committee, narrowly defeating her younger Labour peer Dan Carden to secure the role.
“My father served at the UN,” she shares, gesturing to his old peacekeeping helmet, which adorns her office shelf. “Throughout my childhood, we often moved as he would announce, ‘We’re relocating to Zambia!’”
“My background gives me a sense of comfort in international matters; I don’t easily feel intimidated,” she adds.
Thornberry’s confidence allows her to speak boldly about global leaders, going where many senior Labour figures might hesitate. She maintains her characterization of Donald Trump as a “racist sexual predator,” yet acknowledges the necessity of working with him as a major player on the world stage.
Regarding China’s relationship with Labour, she underscores the importance of recognizing human rights issues, warning against the allure of substantial financial investments that may overshadow ethical considerations.
Before recent allegations concerning Chinese espionage, she articulated, “We must navigatethe government’s push for economic growth while staying true to our commitment to human rights as a nation.”
Her committee, largely composed of newly elected members, is currently familiarizing itself with the workings of select committees, starting its first inquiry into the BBC World Service, perceived as a less contentious topic.
Yet, Thornberry is eager to address a pressing concern: the treatment of British citizens detained abroad, voicing her disappointment in the Foreign Office’s response to such situations. “The Foreign Office’s handling of this is lacking,” she observes. “Other nations are much more proactive in securing the release of their citizens, while the UK falls short.”
She further highlights the current foreign secretary’s intention to designate an ambassadorial role to expedite the repatriation of British citizens but questions the timeline for such implementation.
When asked if she aspired to contribute to these initiatives from within government again, she asserts, “I am truly enthusiastic about this role, and I aim to excel in it.”
However, she also adds with a hint of possibility, “Never say never.”
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