Facebook hires one of the least popular party leaders in modern British history’ to fix its image

Facebook has hired the former UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg as its head of global affairs and communications. The former Liberal Democrat politician will be relocating to Silicon Valley in the new year, but starts work on Monday, according to the FT.

Clegg takes over from Elliot Schrage, who held the position for a decade. Schrage stepped down in June after being a key player in addressing Facebook’s recent struggles with fake news, alleged election meddling, data breaches, and the Cambridge Analytica scandal. 

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg wrote in a Facebook post that Clegg “understands deeply the responsibilities we have to people who use our service around the world.”

Sandberg also praised Clegg for “his experience and ability to work through complex issues.”

In a 2014 YouGov poll, Clegg was voted the least popular party leader in modern British history. In his later years as leader of the Liberal Democrats, Clegg was criticised for having a “toxic brand” following a controversy over the party failing to deliver on an election promise to oppose any increase in university tuition fees. 

Clegg stepped down as leader of the Liberal Democrats after the 2015 election, where the party was reduced from 57 seats in Parliament to just eight. In the 2017 election, he lost his seat to Labour.