Andy Burnham, the Makerfield MP widely expected to succeed Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader, joined other senior party figures at the campaign launch for Labour’s candidate in the Greater Manchester mayoral election, Bev Craig. The event took place at Radcliffe Football Club in Manchester.
Senior Labour figures rally for Bev Craig
Burnham was accompanied by Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister, and deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell, both of whom are also MPs for Greater Manchester constituencies. Labour campaigners held placards reading “Vote Bev For Us”, echoing the slogan used in Burnham’s own Makerfield by-election campaign.
Burnham’s path to Downing Street
Burnham is expected to succeed Sir Keir as Labour leader by July 17, as no other challengers have stepped forward. Should this continue, he could be appointed prime minister as soon as July 20. He is currently considering Cabinet appointments, with Rachel Reeves reportedly conceding she will no longer remain as Chancellor. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband are among those in the running to succeed her.
An unlikely alliance of trade unionists and city traders has reportedly urged Burnham against appointing Miliband as chancellor, citing concerns over his net zero policies. However, the transport union TSSA has endorsed Miliband. TSSA general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said: “The Labour movement needs an experienced hand as chancellor who is responsive to the needs of working people and who represents a clear break from the status quo. We believe Ed Miliband has demonstrated that he understands the need for a different approach, one that is prepared to invest for the long term and deliver an economy that works for everyone. We think Ed Miliband should be the next occupant of Number 11.”
Internal Home Office tensions
The mayoral campaign launch came as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faces an internal Home Office dispute. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has asked Sir Keir to sack migration minister Mike Tapp after he wrote an article appearing to break with government policy on migration. She has also banned him from accessing sensitive documents and meetings without her approval, following his claim that he could share “receipts” proving he originated ideas to dampen strict new migration plans.
