Andy Burnham, the new Prime Minister, has swiftly assembled his cabinet, with two Merseyside MPs securing key positions. Knowsley MP Anneliese Midgley becomes Chief Whip, while Wallasey MP Angela Eagle takes on the role of Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. The appointments come after a dramatic reshuffle that saw several senior figures loyal to predecessor Keir Starmer removed.
Burnham's Cabinet Overhaul
On Monday, Burnham outlined his vision for changing the country's governance and selected his top team. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, and cabinet members Darren Jones and Steve Reed were all relieved of their positions. In a surprising move, former Defence Secretary John Healey was appointed Chancellor, Shabana Mahmood retained as Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper moved to Health, and Ed Miliband took over the Foreign Office. Burnham's Mancunian ally Angela Rayner returned to her former Housing brief, while fellow supporters Lucy Powell, Lisa Nandy, and Louise Haigh received key roles.
Anneliese Midgley: Chief Whip
Anneliese Midgley, elected as MP for Knowsley just two years ago, was appointed Chief Whip. Described by one regional MP as "the best political organiser I have ever seen," Midgley played a crucial role in the successful Makerfield by-election campaign. She has worked in the offices of both Keir Starmer and Jeremy Corbyn while Labour was in opposition and held senior political positions at UNITE and the Trades Union Congress. Growing up on the Stockbridge Village council estate in Knowsley, she credits her upbringing and her father's unionised job at the nearby Ford Factory for her political direction. Speaking to the ECHO previously, she said: "Those streets were just political. We didn't have much but we pulled together." Before politics, she launched the popular Liverpool club night Liquidation and was married to Bob Stanley of Saint Etienne. As Chief Whip, she is responsible for ensuring MPs attend debates and vote with the government, managing parliamentary business, and attending cabinet.
Angela Eagle: Environment Secretary
Angela Eagle, a veteran Labour MP, has been appointed Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Born in Yorkshire but raised in Merseyside, she attended primary school in Formby and studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford University. She has represented Wallasey since 1992 and held junior ministerial positions in the Treasury, Home Office, Department of Work and Pensions, and the Cabinet Office. In July 2016, she launched a leadership challenge against Jeremy Corbyn but withdrew after a week. This is her first promotion to Secretary of State. Responding to her appointment, NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: "I would like to congratulate Dame Angela Eagle on her appointment as Defra Secretary of State. I look forward to working with her again to build a resilient food system, drive growth across the farming sector and strengthen food security for 29 million households across the UK." She was made a Dame in the 2021 New Year Honours for parliamentary and political service. Her sister, Maria Eagle, is the Labour MP for Liverpool Garston.
While the cabinet line-up is complete, Burnham will continue to announce junior ministerial roles, potentially bringing more Merseyside influence to his government team.
