Andy Burnham is poised to make a controversial appointment to his government that will shock the nation, according to Whitehall Editor Jonathan Walker. The Greater Manchester Mayor, who recently won a by-election in Makerfield, is expected to bring former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh back into the Cabinet despite her fraud conviction.
Louise Haigh's Fraud Conviction
Haigh resigned as Transport Secretary in November 2024 after it emerged she had a fraud conviction. In 2013, she wrongly reported her work mobile phone as stolen and received a new handset from her employer. When the employer later discovered the old phone was still in use, Haigh pleaded guilty at Camberwell Green Magistrates' Court in November 2014, six months before being elected as an MP in 2015. Supporters have argued it was an honest mistake and that her conviction is now spent, meaning it does not appear on most criminal records checks.
Public Reaction and Financial Concerns
Walker argues that while there is no legal impediment to Haigh serving in government, many voters will be amazed that a convicted fraudster could be placed in charge of billions of pounds of taxpayers' money. He notes that government departments spend almost £600 billion annually, or £20,600 per household, excluding interest payments and benefits. The Department of Health spends around £205 billion, the Department for Education £95 billion, the Home Office £20 billion, and the Ministry of Justice £12.6 billion.
Burnham's Path to Power
Burnham's rise to Prime Minister now appears inevitable, but Walker warns that his entitlement—waltzing into Westminster without a contest—could backfire. While the public may give him a chance initially, bringing Haigh back into the Cabinet solely because she is a mate would be the worst possible start. Walker concludes that Burnham must tread carefully to avoid appearing as arrogant and out of touch as his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer.
