Claims that Andy Burnham has been preparing for life in Downing Street for at least a year are 'perfectly reasonable', Chancellor Rachel Reeves has suggested. However, she warned Mr Burnham, who is all but guaranteed to become prime minister in just over a week, that he must remain 'laser focused' on what he wants to achieve in power.
Ms Reeves, speaking to the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg in what could be one of her final major broadcast interviews as Chancellor, was asked about remarks from her former Cabinet colleague Louise Haigh. The ex-transport secretary told a BBC podcast this week that Mr Burnham had been thinking and planning about a bid to become prime minister for 'at least a year'. The remark has caused ructions within the Labour Party, according to The Times, with one figure suggesting it could weaken Mr Burnham's support even before he becomes prime minister.
Reeves defends ambition
Asked how she felt about close colleagues having plotted against her for so long, Ms Reeves told the BBC: 'I think it is perfectly reasonable for people to have ambition, and Andy has never shied away from the fact that he wanted at some point to lead the Labour Party. I want him to be ready for that because I want him to be a success, and I am sure he will be.' She added: 'But it is important that when Andy walks through that door, that he has a worked through plan, because governing is hard in Britain, and lots of challenges and shocks will come his way. What is really important is that him and his team are really clear about what they want to achieve. As those shocks come along, he needs to stay laser focused on those things that have always motivated him, have always driven him, and are the reason why he wants to lead our great country.'
Elsewhere in the interview, Ms Reeves gave her backing to the devolution agenda Mr Burnham has said he wants to roll out. 'I think having more decision makers, both officials and ministers, based in the north of England and in different parts of the country, would be a good thing for policy making,' the Chancellor said. Pressed about decisions including scrapping the universal winter fuel payment and raising national insurance contributions for employers, Ms Reeves signalled there were 'choices that I made that would be different'. She also insisted Mr Burnham will inherit a 'much stronger economy' because of her actions and those of Sir Keir Starmer.
Public impatience for change
Ms Reeves acknowledged the public was 'impatient for change' when asked why Sir Keir's ministry was being ousted in a Labour leadership contest. She said: 'I'm impatient for change, and I totally get that people want to see their lives changed faster, and that will be the job for Andy Burnham when he becomes prime minister of our country in just over a week's time. But he's becoming prime minister because of the majority that we secured. I also know because of the work that I have done, Andy will take over an economy that is much stronger than the one that I inherited from the Conservatives just two years ago.'
Mr Burnham could be the new prime minister as soon as Monday, July 20, after the conclusion of the Labour leadership process on Friday, July 17. No other challenger can possibly get onto the ballot as a candidate to stand against Mr Burnham, as he has won the support of 322 Labour MPs out of the 403 in Parliament. Some 81 have not yet cast their ballot, and Sir Keir will not take part, as an incumbent Labour leader does not vote by convention. This means there is no route for another candidate to win the support of 20% of MPs, and Mr Burnham is practically guaranteed to become prime minister. Once he is installed in No 10, Mr Burnham plans to spend his summer touring the UK to win over voters in areas where Labour has lost support, according to the Guardian.
