Team Burnham

The nature of Andy Burnham’s rise to the premiership means his camp is made up of a diverse range of political voices from various factions and generations in the PLP. Some are established big names, while others have worked closely with the camp and will hope to be rewarded with roles in the new government. 

Big hitters 

Louise Haigh – co-political lead on Burnham’s campaign and former Transport Secretary. She is reported to be taking soundings from MPs as to what jobs people would like and is sure to get a prominent role herself – potentially replacing Darren Jones as Chief Secretary to the PM. 

Lucy Powell – Deputy Leader and long-time Burnham ally. She backed him even when she was in a minority of one on the NEC panel when deciding whether to allow him to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election. She will secure a Cabinet role and has her own mandate with Labour Party members. 

Anneliese Midgley – if one of the big errors of Starmer’s leadership was poor management of the PLP, the inclusion of Midgley at the top of Team Burnham makes that error less likely this time. A super-skilled organiser, popular across factions. The public may not hear much from her, but she will be one of the most crucial people in the camp. 

Miatta Fahnbulleh – one of the main policy brains. She brings a wealth of experience from think tanks on the left and will focus the policy programme on reducing inequality, expanding economic opportunity, supporting an active state in tackling poverty and the cost of living, whilst pursuing the transition to a greener economy. 

Ed Miliband – long-time friend of Burnham having spent time together as advisers and ministers in the Blair and Brown governments. Miliband is the favourite to be Burnham’s Chancellor, but whatever role he gets he will be one of, if not the most, powerful ministers. 

Angela Rayner – a major loss to the Starmer government when she had to resign from MHCLG, despite their political differences. Rayner is deeply popular with Labour members and trade unions. In football parlance, having her back in government will “be like a marquee signing” after her enforced time out of government. Nobody is in any doubt she will be back in a big role, possibly her old beat at MHCLG although she is said to covet the Department for Education. 

Jonathan Reynolds – currently Chief Whip and former Business Secretary. Reynolds is popular within the PLP and used to work for Burnham’s Chief of Staff, James Purnell, before taking over his seat when Purnell resigned. He will be close to the centre and is known to want an economy or business focused role. 

James Purnell – not an MP but one of the most important figures in the team. Purnell will be Burnham’s Chief of Staff and brings a wealth of experience from government, media, education and the private sector. He is popular with civil servants, knows how to make Whitehall work, and is a big political thinker. He is very close to Burnham, and will have a clear vision of how he wants to execute his role at the top of government.  

Ones to Watch 

Sally Jameson – one of the first MPs to get stuck into the operation when Burnham started pursuing the Makerfield selection. She has been acting as a conduit between the new intake of MPs and the Burnham camp and touted as either a whip or possibly a minister at the Home Office having served as PPS to Shabana Mahmood, who she is close to. 

David Baines - close to the camp and quietly effective. He is seen as an ideal candidate to join Burnham’s whipping operation and has been helpful in organising 2024 intake support. 

Chris Webb – another North West MP who has thrown himself into Team Burnham. He was previously the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire and before that was a councillor on Manchester City Council. 

Yuan Yang – former economics correspondent for the FT and current member of the Treasury Select Committee who is working with Fahnbulleh on policy development. She is tipped for a role in the Treasury under Burnham. 

Luke Charters – York Outer MP who has embedded himself in the Burnham camp since the Makerfield seat became available. He is seen as a good and combative media performer and has one of the bigger social media presences among the PLP. He is expected to be given a junior ministerial role. 

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