The uncertainty over who will occupy the next residence at 3100 Massachusetts Avenue is the result of a standoff between British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak – who decided to appoint Tim Barrow, a career diplomat who has served in Moscow and as the EU’s top representative during Brexit – and the Labor Party, which is likely to form the next British government.
Officials in London and Washington have been gripped by the story of a supposed successor to Pierce. Current British National Security Adviser Barrow was due to be announced as the winner of a quickly conducted internal Foreign and Commonwealth Office competition for the perpendicular role, but so far it has remained quiet.
“All signs were that this was about to happen,” said a person with knowledge of the process who was not authorized to speak publicly. “Then nothing. We were all very surprised.”
Sunak’s timely transition plan for the ambassadorship was intended to signal the continuity of transatlantic foreign and security policy, given uncertainty over the implications for Ukraine and Middle East policy, depending on whether President Joe Biden or former President Donald Trump will be in charge when the newcomer presents credentials in early 2025.
The British Prime Minister came close to confirming the proposed appointment when he was questioned by reporters during a trip to Warsaw earlier this week, claiming it was “perfectly normal, entirely in line with precedent” to appoint ambassadors well in advance of their start date to help them “acclimatize”. ‘ and build relationships in their next job. He also confirmed that a successor had been appointed to the defense staff’s national security role.
But the opposition Labor party has objected to appointing a new key envoy so close to the general election – likely to be held late this year, with the opposition party now well ahead in the polls. A person with good knowledge of the Labor Party confirmed there was “uproar” over the move and argued that an important post should fall within the remit of the incoming government.
The impasse has led to speculation that Keir Starmer, the Labor leader, could even ask to repeat the appointment process if he becomes Britain’s next leader.
Asked whether the handover would be unusually eventful, Pierce used a wry guillotine on Thursday. “Foreign Affairs is very boring when it’s about two things, and two things only,” she said. “One is that it does not reveal the content of diplomatic conversations, and we do not comment on future appointments.”
But she paid tribute to congressional leaders for supporting the passage of $61 billion in U.S. aid to Ukraine. The package, which was part of a broader aid package for Israel and Taiwan, was signed by Biden this week. “The central message, which is going to give Ukraine a huge psychological boost,” Pierce said, “is that America is behind her, and Congress is behind her, and that our will to support Ukraine remains as strong as ever.”
“So I salute the congressional leadership in the House of Representatives and in the Senate on both sides … and it is a collective expression of our determination to push back on President Putin’s ambitions.”
Asked about Washington’s perception of the volatility in British politics over the past two years – including three prime ministers in the space of three months – the ambassador was diplomatic.
“There was a bit of a wry smile on the faces of some American politicians when we had that quick change of prime ministers, because that’s not what you think of when you think of British politics,” she mused. “On the contrary, you think of something solid that doesn’t change much over the years. But we’ve all been through that.”
Listen to Ambassador Pierce’s conversation with POLITICO Power Play host Anne McElvoy here: