Andy Burnham is already plotting his cabinet, and it appears to be a rogue's gallery of controversial Labour figures. Labour MPs are acting as if he has already won Thursday's by-election and holds the keys to Number 10, but voters in Makerfield may have something to say about that. If Nigel Farage's Reform UK were to win instead, it would send shockwaves through Westminster. While unlikely, it cannot be ruled out, and Labour MPs would rather not consider that scenario. The thought of being stuck with Keir Starmer for another three years fills them with fear. Besides, the prospect of a new boss is exciting, and MPs are already clamouring for their share of rewards.
Ed Miliband: The Loose Cannon
Perhaps the most controversial figure is Ed Miliband, who has already gone rogue as energy secretary under Starmer. He is desperate to become chancellor, where he could cement his grip on Labour and test his net zero ideology to destruction. Miliband believes he has not inflicted enough damage on the UK yet, with some industry still remaining. He is keen to finish the job, ensuring the UK never drills for North Sea oil and gas again, preferring to put energy security in China's hands while buying jet fuel and diesel from Vladimir Putin. The thought of what damage he could inflict if he took charge of the entire economy is alarming. Increasingly, Burnham seems to dread it too. Miliband is the ultimate loose cannon, and Burnham fears he would blow his time in Number 10 to pieces by blowing up the economy and refusing to be reined in. Unlike Burnham, Miliband does not do U-turns, and once installed, Burnham would lack the strength to stop him.
Angela Rayner: Revenge and Controversy
Burnham will also have to accommodate Angela Rayner, who brings her own controversies. She is determined to wreak revenge because Starmer forced her to resign, but it was not the PM who made a mess of her stamp duty tax bill; that was Rayner's doing. HMRC went soft on her, but some of the mud will stick. Like Miliband, she is no slouch on policy, pushing through her Employment Rights Bill despite repeated warnings that it will destroy jobs and harm the very people it is supposed to help. She will keep pushing Labour further to the left once back in the cabinet, and Burnham will not be able to stop her. He is not exactly an immovable object, and she will quickly elbow him aside. Whatever job he gives her, it will have to be a big one, whether he likes it or not.
Louise Haigh: The Fraudulent Claimant
Burnham will also have to accommodate another backer, former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh. She was forced to resign under Starmer after making a fraudulent claim that her mobile phone had been stolen. Again, she always seemed angrier at the PM than herself. Incredibly, she is now being touted as some kind of economic genius. The bar is set very low in Labour; just mutter the magic words "More tax" and you are halfway there. The other half is "More spending." Bringing Rayner and Haigh back from disgrace will not be a good look, but Burnham has no choice. His cabinet will soon look more like the rehabilitation wing of the Labour Party. With this gang of rogue operators bossing the country, we will be begging for Starmer to come back, although thinking about his freeloading and lust for freebies, the PM does not have clean hands either.
