New appointments in Burnham’s cabinet reshape UK government
John Healey has been appointed chancellor and Ed Miliband has become the new foreign secretary as new prime minister Andy Burnham finalises his cabinet appointments, reports BritPanorama.
Shabana Mahmood retains her position as home secretary despite speculation that she and Miliband were leading contenders for the Treasury role.
The new ministers will form the senior leadership team in Burnham’s government, tasked with implementing the policy agenda he intends to set. Louise Haigh, who directed Burnham’s campaign in Makerfield, will serve as first secretary of state, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, and minister for the cabinet office.
Meanwhile, Rachel Reeves and David Lammy are among several senior ministers departing government following Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation to the King on Monday.
Angela Rayner is returning to her former role as housing secretary after resigning last year over tax issues, and Wes Streeting has accepted the position of defence secretary.
Former foreign minister Yvette Cooper will now handle health, while Pat McFadden continues as work and pensions secretary.
In the lead-up to the reshuffle, Peter Kyle, the business secretary, and Steve Reed, the housing secretary, also resigned.
Upon resigning, Reeves expressed her best wishes to Burnham and his cabinet, stating, “It has been the privilege of my life to serve as the Chancellor of the Exchequer.” She also noted, “The economy today is stronger, fairer and more resilient because of the choices we have taken as a Labour government over the past two years.”
Despite being offered a significant position, allies of the former chancellor said she opted to decline the role.
Former Wales minister Jo Stevens and science minister Liz Kendall will not hold positions in the new cabinet.
Burnham, an MP from 2001 to 2017, is maintaining close ties with many allies from Westminster as he embarks on his prime ministerial journey. Having served as a frontbencher during Gordon Brown’s administration from 2007 to 2010, he is joined in the new cabinet by familiar figures such as Miliband, Cooper, McFadden, and Healey.
In his inaugural speech delivered from the steps of Number 10, Burnham called on the British public to unite and foster a sense of common purpose, stating, “Let us make this the moment when Britain starts to believe again, the moment we bring back hope.”
He announced plans to reveal a ten-year strategy for the UK later this year, alongside immediate measures aimed at alleviating the cost of living crisis, aimed at providing “breathing space now.”
Burnham acknowledged the instability of leadership in the recent past, saying, “I am acutely conscious that I am the sixth person in the last 10 years to walk up this street, the seventh prime minister since 2016, making this a moment for reflection and new resolution.”
In attendance during his speech were supporters, including Liverpool mayor Steve Rotheram, former Everton player Peter Reid, and Josh Simons, the former MP instrumental in Burnham’s return to Westminster.
