Speculation is mounting that Andy Burnham could appoint Ed Miliband as chancellor if he becomes prime minister. The frontrunner to replace Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly considering who will sit in his Cabinet, with the Energy Secretary tipped as a potential candidate to take over from Rachel Reeves at the Treasury. Other names in the running include former Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.
Burnham's path to No 10
Andy Burnham looks set to enter 10 Downing Street within weeks if no other candidate enters the Labour leadership race. He will begin outlining his policy platform next week, pledging economic growth and committing to Labour's existing fiscal rules. The Greater Manchester Mayor has been the clear frontrunner since Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation.
Key ally warns against Miliband
However, Sir Keir's right-hand man appeared to warn Mr Burnham against making Ed Miliband chancellor this morning. The chief secretary to the Prime Minister set out “tests” for any potential occupant of Number 11. Asked for his view of Mr Miliband as chancellor, the chief secretary said: “I’m not going to get into personalities.”
But setting out his criteria, he added: “I think the next chancellor needs to be able to have a clear view about the political economy and understand how the Treasury works. I think they need to have an important relationship with the prime minister, because, quite frankly, in many circumstances the chancellor in the Treasury is more powerful than the prime minister in Downing Street.”
Tests for the next chancellor
The chief secretary outlined three key tests for the next chancellor: enabling the delivery of the prime minister's priorities rather than trying to control them, reassuring the markets, and reassuring the trade unions, the parliamentary Labour Party, and the public. When asked whether Mr Miliband “falls short” of these tests, he replied: “I will let you mark those tests, but those are the tests I think need to be met.”
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