Carole Malone has described Andy Burnham's new cabinet as akin to "rearranging the very old, very knackered deck chairs on the Titanic," with only one appointment earning her approval: former Defence Minister John Healey as Chancellor. She praises Healey as "a grown-up, a man of principle" who resigned as Defence Secretary over funding shortfalls.
The other positive note, she writes, is that Shabana Mahmood remains Home Secretary, the only minister with the courage to tackle immigration. However, Malone warns that Burnham must fully support her and not let the hard-Left sway him on border policy.
Angela Rayner and Louise Haigh under fire
Malone criticises Angela Rayner returning as Housing Minister, noting she "omitted" to pay £40,000 in stamp duty and has delivered only 22% of the 1.5 million homes promised this Parliament. She also targets Louise Haigh, appointed Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Cabinet Secretary, calling her "a convicted fraudster" and questioning the hypocrisy given Labour's demands for Nigel Farage to resign over a donor's fraud.
Jonathan Reynolds and Wes Streeting questioned
Jonathan Reynolds, who falsely claimed to be a qualified solicitor, returns as Business Secretary with an expanded portfolio. Wes Streeting, given Defence, is described as knowing "the square root of nothing" about the role, with Malone suggesting Dan Jarvis or Al Carns would have been better choices. She implies Streeting's appointment may be a reward for not challenging Burnham for the leadership.
Ed Miliband and Burnham's priorities
Malone also criticises Ed Miliband as Foreign Secretary, noting White House concerns over his green energy views and desire to rejoin the EU. She questions Burnham's focus on rough sleeping as his first priority, ignoring larger issues like the £3 trillion debt, immigration, and defence. She concludes that Burnham is "nowhere near ready" to govern and lacks a clear plan.
