Burnham Takes Power, Healey Named Chancellor in Cabinet Reshuffle
New Prime Minister initiates swift changes, placing key allies in top government roles and signalling a shift in economic policy.
Callum Smith
Andy Burnham has assumed the role of Prime Minister, immediately enacting a significant cabinet reshuffle that saw John Healey appointed as the new Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Mr. Healey, representing a South Yorkshire constituency since 1997, now holds the second most important government role after the Prime Minister.
His return to a senior government position follows his previous departure from Keir Starmer's administration. Mr. Healey and Mr. Burnham share instincts on economic stability, reindustrialisation, and tackling the cost-of-living crisis.
Beyond the Treasury, Ed Miliband steps in as Foreign Secretary, taking over from Yvette Cooper. Mr. Miliband and Shabana Mahmood entered No10 together earlier; Mr. Miliband posted on X about a green revolution and renewables auction.
Shabana Mahmood remains Home Secretary, continuing a tough approach to immigration. Louise Haigh receives a promotion to Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office.
Ms. Haigh advised Mr. Burnham during his Makerfield by-election campaign and Labour leadership bid. Further appointments include Angela Rayner as Housing Secretary and Lucy Powell as Education Secretary.
Jonathan Reynolds takes the position of Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Secretary, while Lisa Nandy continues as Culture Secretary. Anneliese Midgley becomes Chief Whip, and Pat McFadden remains Work and Pensions Secretary.
The reshuffle saw several prominent figures ousted, including David Lammy, Steve Reed, Peter Kyle, Liz Kendall, Baroness Chapman, and Lord Hermer. Darren Jones announced his firing by phone; Lord James Timpson resigned as prisons minister.
Lord Patrick Vallance also resigned from his ministerial portfolio, which included science, innovation, research, and nuclear. David Lammy stated he would continue to support the Government from the backbenches.
This transition follows Keir Starmer's farewell address outside No10, where he insisted he had not been a failure and that Mr. Burnham would have his 'full support.' Mr. Burnham delivered a speech hinting at a lurch to the Left, emphasizing 'stronger public control' and a plan to 'reindustrialise' Britain with a 'ten-year plan.'
He claimed he would deliver 'a new political model and a new economic model' for Britain, suggesting this would involve putting 'life’s essentials back under stronger public control to make them affordable.'
He stated his first instruction to officials would be to end rough sleeping and indicated that help on the cost of living would be announced the following day. The Prime Minister promised to provide early 'breathing space' for households, vowing to end rough sleeping and setting a goal of 'reindustrialising Britain.'
He claimed he would deliver 'a new political model and a new economic model' for Britain, suggesting this would involve putting 'life’s essentials back under stronger public control to make them affordable.' The new Prime Minister also stated he would use public spending to back British businesses and build more council homes.
He told reporters he would use 'any flexibility' he could find within existing rules but emphasized 'none of this is about taking risks with the economy.' This approach echoes historical Labour policies focused on state intervention and industrial strategy, reminiscent of post-war reconstruction efforts.
Beyond the economic agenda, the new administration also implemented a ban on loudspeakers near Downing Street. This measure affects public demonstrations and political expression in the immediate vicinity of power.
I hoped to show him what Manchester had to offer during a visit in the future.
In his first international engagement, Mr. Burnham had a call with Donald Trump, telling the US president he hoped to show him 'what Manchester had to offer during a visit in the future.' The G20 summit could be held in the North West next year.