Douglas Alexander, the former shadow foreign secretary who was defeated in the general election by a 20-year-old member of the Scottish National party, is to start a new career working alongside Bono.
It is a sign that Alexander, Labour’s 2015 election campaign chairman, has no short-term plan to return to party politics, and his shock defeat to Mhairi Black has changed his career for the foreseeable future.
It is understood that the U2 frontman and Alexander have been in discussion for some months on the challenges of securing investment in development to tackle global poverty.
Bono first made contact in July when Alexander was on a family holiday in New York and the band were performing in the city.
In recent months, they have travelled together to visit development projects in Rwanda and to attend a business forum in Ghana. This week, they will attend meetings in New York and Washington DC.
They are now collaborating on initiatives aimed at catalysing greater investment within and beyond Africa to drive economic growth, together with technology investment. Bono’s advocacy group, One, specialises in trying to improve investment into Africa, as well as encourage trade.
The pair have known each other for some years as a result of Bono’s advocacy work when Alexander was serving as the UK secretary of state for international development and as governor of the World Bank.
Alexander has also taken honorary teaching fellowships after his shock departure from politics caused by the dramatic success of the SNP.
Alexander said: “Today’s headlines understandably are focused on terrorism, refugees, conflict and the ups and downs of politics. Yet beneath all the headlines it is new technology, a globalised market and climate change that remain the most powerful forces shaping our world.
“Developing countries need aid but they also need investment to generate inclusive prosperity – to provide the jobs and revenues these countries need to deliver better living standards for their people.
Bono said: “Music is what I do and it’s given me the opportunity to do a lot of other things besides, where Douglas Alexander’s experience will be of great value.
“I’ve been lucky to work with a lot of bright, committed people in my activism, and he will be a great new partner for all of us. We come from different arenas, but we share a commitment to tackling poverty through sustainable development, and a belief that both governments and businesses have an essential role.”
Alexander is also continuing as a visiting fellow at Harvard University’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.
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