Prime Minister-in-waiting Andy Burnham has vowed to deliver major reforms in how Britain is governed, and his Cabinet choices will signal the scale of change. With only 23 full Cabinet members and five additional ministers who attend when needed, Burnham faces difficult decisions on who to promote or demote. London MPs are particularly vulnerable as he is expected to elevate more figures from the North West and other regions to key posts, reflecting his devolution agenda.
Health Secretary James Murray at Risk
Ealing North MP James Murray appears the most at risk of losing his Cabinet post among London MPs. Having only been Health Secretary for a matter of months, he has had little time to prove himself. His one significant success is ending the resident doctors' strike, but with Burnham having few posts to dish out, Murray is vulnerable. However, if Burnham wants to depoliticise the NHS, Murray is an ideal candidate. Quietly-spoken, he would not be expected to cause trouble if demoted or moved to the backbenches.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed Faces Uncertainty
Burnham is setting up a 'No10 North' in Manchester to drive economic growth in the regions, and union chiefs believe he may move a chunk of Steve Reed's Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to the North. Reed, the former Lambeth Council leader and now MP for Streatham and Croydon North, is one of the Government's best communicators. But it would be odd if Burnham chose a London MP to drive his devolution revolution. Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, his predecessor in the communities department, is a frontrunner for the post, but this is not a slam dunk.
Justice Secretary David Lammy Faces Axe
David Lammy, MP for Tottenham, played a key role in Sir Keir Starmer's 2020 Labour leadership campaign and has been an uber-loyalist. If Burnham wants to deliver change from the Starmer 'ancien regime,' Lammy is likely to be moved. As Justice Secretary, he faced heavy criticism over the accidental release of prisoners and court reforms. However, axing him would lose the Government an important conduit into the Trump administration. Lammy has developed a close working relationship with Vice President JD Vance, which is a significant strength in dealing with a highly unpredictable US president.
Wes Streeting Poised for Comeback
Ilford North MP Wes Streeting is expected to return to the Cabinet swiftly after dramatically resigning from Sir Keir's government. He has been touted as a possible Chancellor, but Streeting is on the Right of Labour, while Burnham is on the Left. Putting him at the helm of the Treasury would be a gamble. Burnham lived through the TB-GBs feud between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown and may avoid similar internal conflict. Moving Streeting back to complete reforms he started as Health Secretary would make the most sense, but politics often does not follow sense.
Miatta Fahnbulleh: Rising Star and Burnham Ally
Peckham MP Miatta Fahnbulleh is one of Labour's rising stars and a key Burnham ally. She was the first junior minister to resign from Sir Keir's government in May, calling for a timetable for the Prime Minister to stand down. She stated: 'Whilst progress has been made, we have not acted with the vision, pace and ambition that our mandate for change demands of us. Nor have we governed as a Labour Party clear about our values and strong in our convictions.' The former chief executive of the New Economics Foundation is believed to have been working on a policy blueprint for Burnham and has said central Government under his plans will be 'far smaller' and strategic.
Heidi Alexander Likely to Retain Senior Role
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, MP for Swindon South, is one of just four MPs left in Parliament who voted for Burnham in his first bid to be Labour leader in 2010. The former MP for Lewisham East and ex-Deputy Mayor for Transport in London also supported him in 2015. She was among the first Cabinet ministers who urged Sir Keir to set out a timetable for his departure. So it is likely that she will retain a senior job. Days ago, Burnham said he had not yet decided on his Chancellor, with Net Zero Secretary Ed Miliband and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood as possible replacements for Rachel Reeves.
Other Key Figures
Former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh (MP for Sheffield Heeley), Labour Deputy Leader Lucy Powell (Manchester Central), Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy (Wigan), and Knowsley MP Anneliese Midgley are all expected to get key roles. Starmer loyalist Darren Jones may lose his job as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, with Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds and Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn also possibly facing demotion or leaving voluntarily.
