This blog is taking an unashamedly Martyn Lewis approach this evening and hailing some good news.
Journalistic cynicism will be cast aside as this blog welcomes the appointment of two outstanding people to new jobs:
• Valerie Amos, who became the first black woman to sit in the cabinet when she succeeded Clare Short as international development secretary in 2003, is to become the new UN under-secretary-general for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief. Lady Amos, currently British high commissioner to Australia, will replace Sir John Holmes.
British officials are delighted by the appointment which means that Britain, one of five permanent members of the UN security council, keeps hold of one of the UN's top jobs.
David Cameron, who met Amos yesterday, nominated Amos because he believes Labour's second international development secretary and former minister for Africa is the outstanding candidate. Tony Blair style "big tentery" – appointing opponents to big jobs – was not in his thinking, sources insist.
• Justin Forsyth, who was Gordon Brown's director of political strategy, has been appointed chief executive of Save the Children UK.
Forsyth, who was in the car with the former prime minister when he was recorded criticising Gillian Duffy as a "bigoted woman", is one of the few people to have worked for Brown who never took on the bunker mentality. He is highly regarded across the Labour party and has the rare distinction of having worked for both Brown and Tony Blair.
Forsyth, who worked for Oxfam for 15 years before entering No 10, said:
I am excited to join Save the Children as it steps up its efforts over the next five years to save 5 million more children's lives a year. We can – and must – stop these needless deaths, and ensure that every child gets a chance in life, wherever they are born in the world.
Save the Children will soon realise they have a chief executive who knows exactly when – and when not – to pull the levers of power in Whitehall. He also has credibility with ever more influential NGOs.
7.00pm UPDATE
Warm congratulations for Amos are being offered this evening.
William Hague, the foreign secretary, says:
I am delighted that Baroness Amos has been appointed the next Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. She will bring a vast amount of expertise, commitment and energy to the role and will build on the valuable work of Sir John Holmes.
It is crucial that we continue to build strong and effective leadership in our international organisations and I am therefore pleased that the UK is continuing to play such a key role in this important UN body.
The Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is at the forefront of the UN's efforts to tackle some of the most traumatic challenges around the world. It is one of the most visible and high profile ways in which we see the very positive contribution the UN makes. I wish Baroness Amos every success in her new role and look forward to working with her closely.
Chuka Umunna, the newly elected Labour MP for Streatham, has tweeted:
Delighted that my friend Valerie Amos has been appointed UN under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs!
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